What he said:
"I have been trying to tell people that talent normally wins in negotiations."
Andy Roddick believes it’s time players banded together to form a union. This would ensure that commercial interests do not override players’ welfare.
What he really meant:
“Tournaments aren’t money spinners when they lack star players.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“Negotiations are as easy as serving aces.”
What he said:
“What has been happening was the player trying to be the ruler. If the player becomes the ruler we can’t play a game."
Sri Lankan sports minister, Upali Dharmadasa, is less than pleased with Kumara Sangakkara’s speech at the Marylebone Cricket Club exposing the shenanigans within the Sri Lankan Cricket Board.
What he really meant:
“We politicians can’t play cricket, can we? But neither can he (Sangakkara), if he’s administrating. Does he want a party ticket?”
What he definitely didn’t:
“By the players, for the players, of the players.”
"If you look at Nadal, Djokovic and Federer when they come on the court, they have a demeanour.They are exceptionally well-dressed and clean-shaven. Andy doesn’t come on like that."
David Lloyd, former English Davis Cup captain, feels that Andy Murray lacks an on-court presence unlike his rivals, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
What he really meant:
“I really don’t feel a beard suits Murray but since I’m not qualified to talk about fashion sense, I’ll just link that to his lack of Grand Slam wins.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“I love Bjorn Borg.”
What he said:
"It’s one of the better items of post you get through the letterbox – certainly better than a gas bill."
English Test skipper, Andrew Strauss, is suitably chuffed at being annointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
What he really meant:
"Are you enthused about bills, especially utilities? Not me. This is one piece of post I’m thrilled to receive."
What he definitely didn’t:
"The sun never sets on the British Empire—not the cricketing one."
What he said:
"You are talking a 0.5% improvement."
Greg Rusedski is confident that Andy Murray has the ability to win Wimbledon.
What he really meant:
“It’s the small things that matter.”
What he definitely didn’t:
"It was best five months of my life."
Novak Djokovic comments on his 43-match winning streak after losing to Roger Federer in the French Open semis.
What he really meant:
“It was the best five months of my life.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“It was the worst five months of my life.”
What he said:
“Patience is the key when you play Rafa.”
Andy Murray believes it’s going to be a long, drawn-out semi-final encounter against Rafael Nadal.
What he said:
“It’s just to say thank you to mother nature for being so nice to me and allowing me to produce such good shots. In those moments you have the feeling that you live in perfect harmony with the nature.”
Stephane Robert explains the ecstatic kisses he blew to the sky during his shock victory over sixth seed Tomas Berdych.
What he really meant:
“I have to thank someone and I couldn’t blow kisses to just anyone in the stands. My girl-friend won’t understand.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“Next match, it’s the Tarzan costume for me.”
What he said:
“Walkover from Fognini. Bad luck for him, hope he recovers fast. Today I get to enjoy Paris in a different way :-)”
Djokovic marks his progress to the quarter-finals with a celebratory tweet.
What he really meant:
“Party time, pals!”
What he definitely didn’t:
“Let’s pay old Foggy a visit with some flowers.”
What he said:
“I’m not playing well enough to win this tournament.”
Defending champion Rafael Nadal feels a bit off-key as gets into the final stretch of the French Open.
What he really meant:
“But then, so are six others. It’s all relative.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“Oh what’s winning got to do, got to do with it
What’s winning but a second hand emotion
What’s winning got to do, got to do with it
Who needs one more French Open
When my legs are creaky and broken.”