HE SAID/SHE SAID: Wimbledon Day Two

Q. Going back to the Queen, quite a lot made of a suggestion you might not bow to her on Thursday. Can you tell us about how you're feeling meeting her, if you will bow, and what you might say if you meet her?

ANDY MURRAY: I don't know what I'll say exactly. I'll probably be a little bit nervous, understandably. I guess I don't want to mess up at all.

But, yeah, the plan was to bow to the Queen, as everybody would. It's just you wanted to get the right etiquette for what we were doing on the court. A few years back it definitely changed. Both players, when you went on Centre Court bowed, and they went out together. When they left the court, they left together, bowed again. Obviously, it's changed.

What I was trying to say, which I think was unfairly reported, was I wanted to make sure what the etiquette was before we went out on the court.

Q. Is your curtsy where you want it?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I said I was working on it. It's a little dramatic. I'm trying to tone it down.

Q. Just a little less forced?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I want it to be more natural. Right now it feels really forced. Seems like I've never done a curtsy before, which may be true. But I'm looking forward to nailing it (laughter).

[Pssst! If you haven't seen her curtsy yet you must. ReRe's right - it's out of control. At least the wind up. She might take flight.]

Q. Whatever happened to your personal assistant?

SAM QUERREY: It was an intern. (Laughing.) It was more something for fun. He wanted to do it because he wants to be a sports agent.

But he's getting ready to start law school at Vandebilt (sic) Law next month.

Q. He moved up.

SAM QUERREY: Yeah. Had at the write him a letter of recommendation.

Q. Did you really? Did it help, or you have no idea?

SAM QUERREY: I have no idea. I'd like to think so. Actually had him write it.

Q. Maria?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Hi, Nick [Bollettieri]

Q. Why aren't you in the Florida sun right now?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Because of you.

Q. A couple things coaches can't teach. You refuse to lose and you don't complain.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Sometimes.

Q. I also would like to compliment your coach about the great job he does with you.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thank you.

Q. It's just fantastic. The tour needs you. I'm delighted for how you're playing again.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thanks, Nick. Can I put you in this bag and carry you to every press conference?

Q. What other options were you given before you took the ten weeks off [for the knee injury?] Did they go in and scope it?

JAMES BLAKE: No, it was basically keep playing in pain and get to the point where it requires surgery or ‑‑ you know, I've never taken an antiinflammatory or painkiller in my life. They have asked me to do that; I didn't do that.

Maybe I am hurting myself by not doing that. I don't know. It's just something I've kind of always stuck to. Otherwise, it's just rest. That's what they said. Need to rest and shut it down.

The other option I had was get that PRP treatment, which I did. That's where they take your blood, spin it to get the ‑‑ the reason it's PRP is platelet‑rich‑plasma, the stuff that's known for healing injuries and joints and everything.

So they take that, spin it down, and then inject that into the inflamed area. You know, whether or not that helped, I don't know. Figured couldn't hurt. Supposed to get you back on the court quicker. I don't know if it did.

I mean, I was back in ten weeks. My trainer and other people say that that kind of tendonitis could last a lot longer and could keep going. But I was back and felt good, and basically now, right next to it, another ‑‑ the tendon has been damaged right next to it.

Q. I wanted to ask you a question about the tour. You've had a great early career, reaching No. 2, great run in New York. You're not going to be a teenager much longer. There really hasn't been a big breakthrough by a teenager on the WTA Tour since Maria here. Why do you think that is?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think I'm an exception to that. And I think that reaching No. 2, it's not easy. Not everyone can do that.

I think the tour has just become very tough. A lot of players are playing well. Just look at the clay court results that have been, you know, Martina Sanchez winning Rome, Rezai winning Madrid, Schiavone winning French Open.

I mean, there's a lot of good players out there. It's not easy to be in the top of the rankings. I'm happy about my own progression, the way I've been playing.

Tennis is an individual sport. So I think about myself. I really think that age doesn't matter. I think you can be 30 and be on the top of the ranking, and you can be 17. It really doesn't matter. It's just about going out there, doing your best, and you can see how far you can go, how far your own limits are.

Q. I read when you came to the U.S. you couldn't speak a single word of English; is that true?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah.

Q. How did you behave? How do ask what's for dinner or piece of soap?

KEI NISHIKORI: Actually, I couldn't speak English, but there was two more guys with me, Japanese guy. My friends went to academy, and my coach was Japanese, so...

Yeah, it was tough for me. Couldn't speak any and couldn't make friends for couple months. It was really tough.

But, you know, Americans are like really open, so that was...

Q. And then an old friend of Bollettieri, did he behave gently at least, or was very stiff? Sometimes he's very stiff.

KEI NISHIKORI: The academy, because of all the international people coming, it's not just American, so it was ‑‑ I had some laugh moment.

But all the friends I have, it's very, very good. Yeah.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: Roland Garros Day Three

Q. What about the circumstances in general, or the weather conditions, rather? In Madrid it was sometimes warm or cold. What do you prefer?

RAFAEL NADAL: The sun. I love the sun. The sun is like happiness. When it's a bit like a dull‑type of weather like this, I don't really like this type of weather. When I play tennis I'd rather play in the sun.

The ball bounces higher. When it was really sunny, I can tell you the balls are a lot lighter. Today it was a bit heavier, so I didn't play really well.


Q. You remember last time you won against a top 10 player?

KIMIKO DATE KRUMM: Maybe top 10 player? (Through translation.)

He told me 1996. That time, the Championships in Madison Square Garden in New York. I beat Monica Seles in the first round. She retire. (laughter.) And the second round I lost against Martina Hingis.

Q. Just after Miami, you made the decision clearly you needed some time off. You wanted to rest the body. But now thinking back, would it have been a good idea to play Rome, or is it basically you didn't know you were going to get sick in Madrid?

ANDY RODDICK: Well, I didn't know I was going to get sick in Madrid. That was my preparation last year and I had my best ever French Open.

Also I have responsibilities elsewhere, you know. It was my first anniversary and I hadn't seen Brook in a while. I think at that point in the year, that was always gonna take precedence for me. That was a time that we had blocked out for us, and you know, that's necessary.

Q. You obviously have a little bit of history with [fashion] as well. Refresh my memory about what you've been fined and where the line was drawn. As you understand it, what's the line that they've kind of drawn?

BETHANIE MATTEK SANDS: For clothing? It's really hazy, actually. I think the book says, "proper tennis attire." That could be depends who's the supervisor, what tournament you're at. I mean, obviously some are more lenient than others on what you can wear.

But I've pushed the line a few times. It's really a hazy line. So I think it's cool when people push it, though. I like it. I think it brings more interest. I mean, obviously everyone is talking about it, so it's great. Tennis is getting in the news. It's on the front page when I open up my browsers and everything just because she's we are something different.

So I think it's great.

Q. How many times have you been fined and how much and when?

BETHANIE MATTEK SANDS: Um, I was fined ten grand for wearing a hat at US Open like five years ago. I was fined I think for a shirt that was like sheer, two grand. I think that's it.

For a while I actually had to bring my clothes in and get them approved. That's how they prevented me from actually, like, wearing something that I shouldn't on the court.
Since this last year I've been a little more conservative as far as the clothing goes.

Q. Sam, you've had some good results on clay. You won Belgrade, won Houston. Are you fighting sort of a Jeckyll/Hyde part of yourself here?

SAM QUERREY: A little bit. Those are 250s, and they're great. I love you know, a tournament win is a tournament win. A final is great. It builds my confidence, but I won Belgrade and my ranking didn't move. I'm kind of past that point right now. Those 250s do nothing for me ranking wise. It's all about the Masters Series and the Grand Slams.

That's where I just have not been playing well. You know, I just need to mentally get it together in my head. I need to enjoy myself out there. I need to enjoy playing. You know, if a guy has a breakpoint against me, I should know, Hey, I've got one of the biggest serves out there. Let's see you win this point off me.

But like I said, I just tank some points. (UGH, Samurai.)

Q. You looked very happy at the end of your match. It must be great to be back at the place you've had success in the past.

JUSTINE HENIN: Yeah, I was feeling very happy just to be back on center court, and it's something that I never expected in the past anymore.

It was the case again today. I really, this morning, when I woke up and before walking on the court, I didn't know really what to expect and how I was going to deal with my emotions. At that time I felt like, well, I've never played on this court, you know. I've played so many times on that court.

But as soon as I walked in and I was into my match, I felt a lot of things were coming back. It was just fantastic to share this again with the crowd as they gave me one more time great support. So it was very good to be back. It was an honor for me to be scheduled on the center court. It was very nice from the organization, also.

Q. And your immediate goals for this year are what?
DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: Media goals?

Q. Immediate goals.
DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I thought, media goals, wow, I would never set those goals. (Laughter.) Yeah, I want to be the most famous.

Just improving my game. You know, obviously getting back to top 10 would be great, but I understand that's a long process. I just have to give my best in every match.

Q. If I recall correctly, you recently expressed some interest in getting involved in politics. What was that about?

DANIELA HANTUCHOVA: I never ever said that. Never. I'm the farthest thing away from that. (Laughing.)

[Photo(s): Getty Images, AP]

PHOTO OP: Shirtless samurais as athletic supporters

Here's hoping Sam Querry, who made his third consecutive quarterfinal in LA after defeating compatriot Ryan Sweeting 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, keeps up his winning ways for obvs reasons.

I mean, you can't really argue with shirtless boys who love tennis.





(images via getty)

Quote of the Day: Gasquet on Querrey

..I was dominating the game during the first two sets. I must say, he was a bit lucky.

- Richard Gasquet on his loss to Sam Querrey at the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday.

Yes Richard, I guess luck is exactly why you lost and Sam's in the quarterfinals - lucky that you're a head case. Get a grip.

(image via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Querry on Federer

I feel sorry for him in a way.

- Sam Querry on Roger Federer's recent struggles to keep up the standard set by the Swiss

Are you *ucking kidding me? I don't think anyone, including Fed himself, would feel sorry for a tennis baller with 12 Grand Slams, millions in the bank, and a spot at the top. Pleeeease.

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Querrey's non-dom hand is speaking!

Hands on: Remember our conversation about non-dom hands and the insightful things they say about a tennis baller? Well, what do you think Sam Querrey's non-dom hand is saying (and we won't even get into his hairy situation)??

(image via Harry How/Getty Images)

ROUND ROBIN: A-Rod & Serena tag team, Nole wants to relax, Andy talks match-fixing

Charity tennis tag team: Andy Roddick and Serena Williams are teaming up and playing doubles for the first time to benefit the Andy Roddick Foundation. The two Grand Slam champs are partnering for Rock-n-Rackets, an annual tennis exhibition that combines tennis and music. Other players participating include Sam Querry and Ashley Harkleroad. "From the start, I wanted to create an event that featured my passion for both tennis and music in markets that typically do not have the opportunity to see the sport at the highest level," said A-Rod. "It is especially exciting for me to finally be able to bring the event to Omaha since it has so much meaning for me and my family personally." For her part, ReRe said, "Andy and I are close friends so I look forward to playing with him and giving the fans an evening of great entertainment." (via talkabouttennis)

Winding down: World No. 3 Novak Djokovic has had an amazing year by anyone's standards and now he feels ready to relax - but not when he's on the tennis court. "For me it's not about getting the points, the money or whatever. It's about winning," said the sexy Serb. "I qualified for Shanghai, and looking at this year's results I don't need to try logically anymore. But it's not about that. Whenever I get to the court I try to win. It's that hunger for success, so I can really assure everybody that I'm going to try 100 percent at every tournament." (via citizen)

Murray makes noise: Brit Andy Murray is the latest player to bring match-fixing allegations to the table. According to Andy, "It is pretty disappointing for all the players, but everyone knows that it goes on," [...] "It's difficult to prove. They can try their best until the last games in each set and then make some mistakes, hit a couple of double faults and that's it." And, what does the Brit give as the reason for illegal activity? "A career lasts probably only 10 or 12 years and you have to make all your money while you're still playing." (via BBC)

(images via AP Photo, Getty)