PHOTO OP: Kissing the cup

Oh, to be a trophy.

Yes. Congratulations, Novak Djokovic, on a whole bunch of things: first US Open title, fourth career major, 10th title of the year, 64-2 record, 3 Slams in a single year, sixth straight win over Rafael Nadal, and beating Roger Federer and Rafa back-to-back. Pretty massive list of accomplishments.

So where does he go from here? From the Serbian horse's mouth at his post-match presser:

There is still a lot of things to prove, you know, to myself, to the tennis world. I still want to win many more events, many more major events. That's something ‑‑ as I said, you know, it's not just habit of standing up every morning and being focused on what you do. It's just that love for the sport that keeps me going. And winning on the court, that feeling, as along as it stays with me, I will keep fighting for more trophies. Yeah, so it would be unbelievable to be able to complete the Grand Slam, to win the French Open. It's something that is definitely an ambition, but it's going to take time.

Sure it's going to take time, but the French Open won't be far off. Before Wimbledon, I would've said winning on the grass was going to be the biggest hurdle and he took that one home. But all that talk is for next year. Right now is where it's at. Major props, Nole. Now go stuff your face with gluten. You've earned it.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

(UPDATED) MEDIA MASHUP: Serena Williams sounds off. Again.

"Double OMG, Eva. I'm totes getting déjà vu!"

You would think Serena Williams would be tired of these controversies at the US Open but sometimes a girl just can't help herself.

Two years and a round later, ReRe got all in an uproar with chair umpire Eva Asderaki after getting penalized a point and going down a break for yelling out during play. She thought she hit a forehand winner and screamed "C'mon! but Sam Stosur got a piece of her racquet on the ball. Eva gave the point to the Aussie under the hindrance rule. ReRe was less than happy. Ok, she was fucking pissed.

In the end, the incident was more of an annoyance and did nothing to shake Sammy's focus. But it was like raw meat to the media sharks who couldn't wait to get right into it:

Q. Regardless of whether you thought it was right or wrong, the decision, do you think it's fair on the official to berate her like that?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Excuse me? To berate?

Q. Do you think it's fair on the official?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think everyone is so intense out there. I was really intense, and everyone just wants to do great. I know I did. Um, yeah, just try my best, you know? It's like giving it 100%.

Q. What is your history with that chair umpire, and what episodes might you have had with her in the past?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, I don't know. I don't know. I just was out there trying to fight against a great player who played really, really well. I don't know.

Q. But between games, you referred to something that happened in the past with her. What were you referring to?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I can't think off the top of my head, actually.

Q. A match in Doha maybe where you were called for a similar penalty?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I promise you if I knew I would tell you, but I don't know off the top of my head.

Q. According to the ITF, a chair umpire has latitude in assessing a point or in replaying the point if the action was not deliberate. Did you deliberately hinder your opponent?

SERENA WILLIAMS: (Laughter.) No. I mean, I didn't, but I can't even -- you know, I think my opponent played really well. I actually thought it was a winner, but she did really good to even put her like racquet on it. I thought it was a clear winner. I thought it was the hat drop rule, where if you drop a hat you kind of replay the point. I don't know. I think for the most part it was just -- I don't know, I tried my best. As always, I gave my 100%.

Q. Do you regret at all what you said to the chair umpire?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I just am really excited to be here really and to have gotten so far. To get here has been a really great experience for me. I regret losing, but I think there was nothing I could do today. I think Sam played really, really well.

Q. Why would you not regret saying things like...

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't even remember what I said. It was just so intense out there. It's the final for me, and I was just -- I have to go -- I guess I'll see it on YouTube. I don't know (Laughter.) I don't know. I was just in the zone. I think everyone, when they play, they kind of zone out kinda thing. I don't know, I'll see it later, I'm sure.

Q. Was there a part of you that said, I can't believe this is sort of happening again, this scene?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, not at all. That is definitely different moments. So, no, not at all.

Q. You're one of our greatest champions and an elite athlete, a real role model. Do you think it's important for top level athletes, even in tremendous heat of the moment, to treat refs and officials with respect?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Um, I don't know. I think that, you know, when you're an athlete, whether you're looking at a basketball player or football player or tennis players, these athletes, we train all our lives since I was three -- and I lie about my age a lot, but I'm 29. (Smiling). You know, we live for these moments, you know. Everyone lives to be, you know, in the final of Wimbledon or the final at the US Open. Whatever happens in that moment, you live for them and we breathe for them, and hopefully I'll be back for them.

Q. Wouldn't that be the moment to be most respectful of all at that moment?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I honestly don't know the answer. Everyone, we athletes, give 2,000%. I know I do every time.

Nice try, press. It may be bait but she ain't biting.

UPDATE: She was fined $2K for verbally abusing the chair ump but won't face a suspension as it was not deemed a "major offense" said the USTA. Bigger question right now: What the hell did Mike Bryan do to deserve a $10K fine???

[Video via: OzBroadcasting]

VIDEO VAULT: Stosur might still be stunned

Sam Stosur needed to play the match of her life and she did just that, upending Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 to win the US Open and her first major title. The way she owned the court against the 13-time Grand Slammer was pretty impressive. But that's the only way a lady baller is going to beat ReRe in a major final and she was on point from start to finish.

Sammy's power and serve were in full effect and her strategy of hitting and serving right at ReRe to take away angles and draw attackable balls was uber-smart. ReRe is fast but not necessarily quick to get out of her own way when a ball is screaming towards her. Other lady ballers take note.

It must feel incredibly satisfying to be able to execute your A-game at the highest level under the greatest pressure with only two sets and a living legend separating you from your lifelong dream. So cheers to you Sammy. Can't wait for the Australian Open (no pressure, really).

[Video: US Open]

QUOTES OF THE DAY: Roger Federer

Yeah, I had it. There's no more I could do. Snaps one shot, and then the whole thing changes. It's strange how it goes, you know, but it was a good tournament for me. Sure, I'd love to be in the finals and give myself a chance to win the title, which is not the case now. So I have to accept that and move on.

- Roger Federer after squandering two match points during his semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the US Open

I don't know why it struck me strangely to hear Fed say "There's no more I could do." He was obviously disappointed after losing a match he probably should have won but I don't recall ever hearing him sound so resigned. The Swiss always has a way of explaining a big loss away and giving the impression he could've won if he had done this or that differently. It seems he realized a match actually could be out of his hands. This one, however, was not.

The Serb was unreal on the first match point - one of the best match point saves that I've ever seen - but Fed had a chance on the second match one. He served smartly into Nole's body and had a forehand he could've put away, but it clipped the net and went out. Maybe he was already discouraged or feeling tight after losing the first match point. But really, there's no explaining that miss away.

Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, please. Look, some players grow up and play like that. I remember losing junior matches. Just being down 5 2 in the third, and they all just start slapping shots. It all goes in for some reason, because that's the kind of way they grew up playing when they were down. I never played that way. I believe in hard work's gonna pay off kinda thing, because early on maybe I didn't always work at my hardest. So for me, this is very hard to understand how can you play a shot like that on match point. But, look, maybe he's been doing it for 20 years, so for him it was very normal. You've got to ask him.

- Fed on the match point return winner by Nole

WhatEVAH. That is all.

[Photo(s) credit: Al Bello/Getty Images]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Serena Williams

 

Yeah. I walk out there, do the Crip walk and try to intimidate them. No, I don't try. I just am. I am who I am. I don't know whether that's intimidating or not. I am just me.

- Serena Williams on whether she's intimidating

OMG.

*on the floor*

[Photo(s) credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images]

Del Potro downed by Simon, up close and personal (well, almost)

I finally made it out to the US Open yesterday. Normally I like to grab a grounds pass for the first couple of days since every court is filled with matches. But with the new job it just wasn’t possible. Perhaps next year.

Anyway, I was able to catch the third round match between Juan Martin del Potro + Gilles Simon in full. The Frenchie played some solid tennis in hot and humid conditions, running down Delpo’s ginormous groundies and keeping the big boy on the move. He forced the former US Open champ into errors and served well on key points - none bigger than when he saved set points in the fourth set.

 Even the Argentine thought so:

Q. There was that one point where I think there were three times where it looked like you had a winner, and three straight times he ran it down somehow. How shocked were you? How mentally tiring is it playing someone like that, too?

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Is tough because you try to make the winners all the time, every point, and the ball come to you every time, too. And if you don't serve really, really well, Simon plays a nice tennis, very fast and it's not easy to make a winner to him. But, anyways, the crowd help me a lot 4 5 in the fourth set especially, and I was really close to win that set. But not this year.

Yeah, Delpo, that was me. Screaming and stuff. We all tried to lift you because you looked really weary out there (not like your usual look) but Baby Daddy was too good. Eh, that’s okay. You'll always have next year and we’ll always have 48th and Lexington. Always.

[Photo(s) credit: Reuters]

VIDEO VAULT: What happens under the table stays under the table

No pervs. It's not what you think. Rafael Nadal is cramping. He would never do THAT in public (I'm not completely convinced.)

[Via: NadalNews]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Day 4

Q. Caroline Wozniacki has a high profile relationship with a golfer. You've kind of been there. Any advice for her on how to deal in the public eye in that way in that kind of a relationship?

ANA IVANOVIC: I think it's different for every person, because some people like to be in the middle of attention or public eye and others don't. It's just very personal how you like to deal with it. I think, you know, once you decide how you want to handle it you should go about it. Of course if you want to be more private, that's harder. If you want to be out there it's a little bit easier. It's, you know, about to find the balance and to accept these things.

Check out more 'HE SAID/SHE SAID' from the US Open Day 4 after the jump - click the header!

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Day 3

Q. What were your emotions when you stepped onto the grounds here for the first time since having won the championship?

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: It's very, very strong, you know, see the fans, the crowds. After the match the guy who was with the microphone, he say the only player who beat No. 1 No. 2 of player of the world in the Grand Slam. You know, it's an honor. And I want to say thank you to the fans, to the Argentinian people who come to see me play here. I know who was behind me in the right moments and I know who are in this moment, too.

Q. Is it hard to believe it was two years ago, or does it seem like it was two years ago?

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO: Yeah, to be honest, I feel like the final was yesterday, because when I was walking around the street or when I talk with the fans, they say, I remember your final; you can repeat; you can win again. It's every, every day, every time say or talk about this tournament.

More 'HE SAID/SHE SAID' from US Open Day 3 after the jump - click the header y'all.

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Days 1 + 2

Yeah, Mardy. I feel the same way. A few of these questions are head-in-the-hand BAD. Who writes their stuff anyway? Oh wait. THEY DO.

P.S. I love you already, Ms. Keys. Not in a creepy, stalkeratti kinda way but in a "You get fashion and therefore you're awesome"  way. You knows what's up.

Check out 'HE SAID/SHE SAID' from Days 1 + 2 at the US Open after the jump!

It means that much

It was the second day of action at Wimbledon and there was some notable news including Jelena Jankovic + Sam Stosur getting ousted in their opening round matches and John Isner + Nicolas Mahut playing their much-anticipated and rematch from last year's Championships, won by Tree.

But the day belonged to Serena Williams.

Not because she looked smashing in her Nike Fall Smash Lawn Dress and warm up cardigan, but because she actually let us in. Granted, it wasn't completely by choice but we got to see how much this moment, this return to Centre Court meant to her after being away for almost a year while dealing with a number of serious health issues. After defeating Aravane Rezai 6-3, 3-6 6-1 in the first round she broke down in tears, covering her face with a towel as she sat courtside.

She was asked about her emotional reaction after this win in her post match presser:

Q. Of all the times you've gotten emotional after a match in your whole career, how would you compare today?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think my first time, maybe when I won the US Open way back in '99. I think I got a little emotional then, but not really.


So this was probably the most emotional I've gotten after a match, after a win. You know, and to be a first round, I never really get super, super excited. But for me it wasn't about winning the match. It was about being out there. Everyone that has had some troubles, whether it be health, whether it be something else, to realize that you can do it.

You know, you just have faith. If you believe in yourself, you just continue to fight and never give up. I always preach, you know, Never give up, never give up. I finally was in a position that I could have gave up, I couldn't have came here, I could have sat home and said, I've had a fabulous career. I don't have to work extra, extra hard now.

But it just really goes to show if you don't give up, you still have a chance.

Q. What did you prove to yourself today?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Uhm, I don't know what I proved to myself today. Well, I guess I proved that I could, that I could. I think that sums it up: I could. If I could get through that, I could. 

It was pretty startling to see someone who usually conveys toughness and strength become so vulnerable and overcome with emotion. But if her reaction to the win was any indication, it was long, tough road back. And I, for one, am happy to have her back and healthy.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: A Serena Williams face-off

 

It's so great to have Serena Williams back in the WTA mix not only because she scares the living hell out of most lady ballers but because of shots like this one. You can always count on ReRe to give good face. Or whatever you want to call that.

Seriously, whenever you're in a bad mood and you feel like smashing a racquet or shoving a few tennis balls down someone's unsuspecting throat, think of ReRe (you may already have) and these faces. You'll be happy you did.

More shots of ReRe from her Eastbourne presser after the jump. You won't be disappointed. BELIEVE ME.

PHOTO OP: Fisting it

 

"Ok, just smile and pump, smile and pump..."

See what I mean? It's just a pre-presser for Tokyo and not the baller party but they've still got them doing some freaky stuff on stage. Let's hope that whatever they've got in store for them at the actual party has nothing to do with fists or pumps. *shivers*

In any case I bet JJ's channeling her best NaturAna. I mean, it's not like she hasn't done THAT before.

 [Photo(s): Getty Images]

HE SAID/HE SAID: US Open Day Thirteen

Q. As somebody who's made plenty of history yourself, what are your thoughts on the opportunity that Rafa has to make history with a few straight slams and creating the career Slam?

ROGER FEDERER: Fantastic. It's great for tennis, and it's great for him at the young age, you know, he is to have that opportunity already.

I don't know when I had my first opportunity in Paris, how old I was, but my guess would be that he's younger, you know. It doesn't really matter if he's younger or not. It's a matter of can he make it, and chances are good now, especially that Novak is so tired and Rafa has been playing so well.

But it's exciting for tennis that we're doing something very special in tennis at the same time. Yeah, I won't watch, but I hope he wins. (Laughter.)

Q. […] on Novak, you've handled him well here before. Was he a different player in some ways today? Everybody in the crowd wanted him to go down because of the prospect of you and Rafa, and yet he held up under great pressure.

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I was the favorite, so there was not that much pressure on him. But he played well under the circumstances, playing the semifinals of a slam.

Honestly, I think he played already well against me the last three times we played here in New York. So it was not like the guy can't play under pressure. He's proven his point, and time and time again. I knew he was gonna be a really tough opponent. The guys who overlooked him don't know anything about tennis, unfortunately.

Look, he played a good match. I kind of felt like the racquet was in my control, and I just let those couple of sets slip away too quickly instead of maybe making him work extra hard.
But, again, I did have match point, and I was, you know, a couple of points away, like I was a couple of points away from victory last year at the Open. So it's two tough losses in two years.
But anyhow, I feel like I played good tennis. That's positive, at least.

Q. How much of a shot do you think he has given...

ROGER FEDERER: I'm sorry? I didn't hear.

Q. You said Novak had a shot tomorrow. How much of a shot do you think he has given the Super Saturday, since you've been through this a lot, and the fatigue factor?

ROGER FEDERER: Ask him how he feels. Yeah, I mean, it's tough. We played second, so that's not an advantage.

I'm not gonna start saying bad things, but it's a tough setup, Saturday and Sunday finals, you know.
Yeah, we will see how he feels coming out tomorrow. It's a big question mark.

Q. Can you just walk us through what you think you'll do for the next few hours? I mean, do you have massage, ice bath, food?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No. Popcorn, watching TV, relaxing. (Laughter.)

Yeah, I will do anything that comes up to your mind legally recovery wise. (Laughter.) I will do it. You know, I cannot go to the details too much.

Emotional recovery with my girlfriend, and a couple of things that I cannot talk about. (Laughter.)

It's not what you think. I know what you're thinking.

Q. When you were asked earlier about Rafa possibly becoming the greatest ever, and spoke quite reverently about his accomplishments and so forth. It's occurring to me that at 23 years of age, you yourself are somebody that there's a lot of great championships to be played. With a victory tomorrow, your name belongs in there, you know, in this conversation about Roger and Rafa. Roger himself said in the press conference that people that overlook you just don't know that much about tennis. Your thoughts on sort of all these questions.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, well, it's normal. There are two best players in the world at this moment. They are the two most dominant players in last five, six years, so it's logical that people talk about them mostly and they want to see them playing in the finals and everybody talks about their rivalry, their, you know, matchups, the greatness of each player.

It's normal. For me, I don't think I've done bad last three or four years. I don't think I've done bad with my achievements. But I am not, you know, kind of disappointed that people are not talking about me more. It's just waiting for my moment to come.

You know, I mean, I'm competing in an era of two, you know, great greats, two players winning most of the majors. It's not easy, if you know what I mean.

Q. It's true. But you're not 28, 29, you know, in the twilight of your career. You're 23. There's still so much tennis to be played.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Definitely, yeah, many, many more years to come. I look forward to it. I'm working hard on my game. I'm getting some things together, and hopefully on the court it's gonna pay off.

Q. When athletes win consistently and they reach the level you have, No. 1, they're very stubborn. They don't want to change anything. Why are you able to adapt and change things in your game even at the level you've reached?

RAFAEL NADAL: I think I changed the strings in the end of the season. So, yeah, you are in the top, but the things works very well, but can works better always and worse. But always you have a risk, and you have to -- I don't know. In English is not -- I am not inspired today. Only inspiration was on court. (Laughter.) Forget. (Laughter.)

Q. You've always been extremely hungry. You could have been the king of clay only, and you worked and worked to win Wimbledon. You could have done just that, and you worked and worked to do what you're doing on hard court. Does that hunger come from, I want to win everywhere, or is it just, I want to be the best I can be? Why is it you're always not satisfied?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, because I always thought I always can keep improving. That's why I am playing, to keep improving and to feel myself better player than before. I go to practice every day not to practice; I go to practice every day to try to learn something and to keep improving my level. I already won on hard, so that's not nothing new for me to win on this surface. But the conditions in every tournament are different, and I need to have more options to do to try to win against difficult players like today.

Like in the past, I had a lot of problems against Youzhny in the past, because I was playing before two meters behind the baseline or three meters behind the baseline, all the balls higher with topspin, and he had always the chance to come inside. Now I can change the rhythm. I can play a slice backhand. I can serve, win a little bit more free points with the serve, and I can play more close to the baseline.
So the position on court improved, the slice backhand improved, and it was important shot for me to stop the rhythm of that player. For sure the forehand always was good. The true, I think I am more close to the baseline now.

Q. Overall were you pretty happy with the last couple of weeks?

MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, but right now, you lose the match you cannot be really happy. But actually it was good tournament for me.

Q. First of all, if you can elaborate on that a bit. I mean, you know, I guess it takes a little time to look back and reflect and say, Hey, I got to the semifinals of a Grand Slam. But is it almost that much more difficult? Because you were playing such good tennis coming in, and, you know, you start to think about maybe I can be a finalist here? Or can you look back and say, This was a great two weeks for me; I've played some great tennis?

MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, have to be realistic. Okay, how Rafa play today I don't have lot of chances to beat him, actually. So that's why if thinking like this one, I can start to think about, Oh, I can win Australia; but I pull out third round; I can win Wimbledon, but I lost second round. So anyway I try to be optimistic, and anyway it was a good two weeks for me.

Q. Do you feel in a way today you might have beaten yourself as opposed to Rafa beating you? Is there a bit of that?

MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I feel I play really good one game at 4 3, first set, like was lot of emotions. But if I can play like this on every game against Rafa, maybe it's not for sure maybe I can get chance to win. But I don't have so much emotion like I have this game, so I can like sometimes wake up for some points or some games, but I cannot be consistent for all match.

Q. I think you said in your last press conference that you're hoping to be the bad guy.

MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: What?

Q. You were hoping to be the bad guy or the bad person. That didn't happen.

MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Anyway you have to be nice.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

SHE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Day Twelve

Q. Right now you don't seem to be very, very excited, but normally you are someone who emotionally gives a lot to the public, to the crowd. I've seen sometimes crying, sometimes smiling. I mean, what do you think is better, weakness, or is it strength to be very emotional?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, I play with passion, but I leave it on the court. Off the court, I'm very calm, and, you know, just not that emotional at all. The tennis is an emotional game. As long as you know yourself and you know which emotions are good for you, which are bad, you can use it to your advantage. That's it. I think that tennis is an emotional game and that you should show your emotions, because it shows that you are trying your best out there.

Q. Which match provoke you more emotions if you can remember in the past? Which one shocked you a little bit more than others?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Nothing shocked me. Nothing. I'm out there. I'm trying to do my best. I'm trying to play my best. Sometimes I'm happy; sometimes I'm not; sometimes, you know, I have to be hard on myself; sometimes I have to pump myself up; sometimes I have to say to myself that, Okay, it's time to relax. That's what I'm trying to do. If I say something wrong to myself, I just take it as an experience, and I know that in the next match I'm not gonna do it.

Q. If you had to go out for dinner with a Russian tennis person, which one do you choose between the women and which one do you choose between the men?

VERA ZVONAREVA: That's a tough question. We go eat out with a lot of girls, you know, during the tournament, Russian girls. A lot. With guys more...

Q. Pick one.

VERA ZVONAREVA: Why? You need a story? (laughter.) You want a story?

Q. Yes.

VERA ZVONAREVA: I'll pick Matt Damon. He might be -- he might be Russian in his next movie. (Laughter.)

Q. Were those two double faults in the tiebreak because of the wind or nerves or a little combination?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, obviously the tiebreak is a little more pressure, and it's just -- it was just tough to start serving with the wind behind you in the tiebreak. It was a lot easier to serve into the wind, I thought. On that side I was waiting a lot longer for the wind to stop blowing so you could get a good toss. Regardless, I've got to get it in and start the point.

Q. How much pressure did you feel coming into this match today? Did it raise as the match went on?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Ah, I think -- I don't know. I mean, I have a lot of expectations for myself going into these kind of matches. Um, yeah, it's just a lot of different feelings you go through in the match, especially when it's a long one.

Q. Your schedule before, you didn't say anything about Fed Cup. Since you're playing Italy maybe, are you going to go or maybe not sure 100%?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I committed already. I just forgot to mention it. So I'm in. My name's on the roster.

Q. Will you be there, because it was also last year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Last year I didn't commit. I couldn't go. This year is different. I've already said I'd be there.

Q. Seemed like you were missing a lot of forehands.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't know.

Q. Were you not feeling it today?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: No, I just think in general both -- also the serves, you know, there is a little bit of -- there was a little bit of everything today. You know, points where I played unbelievable and points where, you know, I even didn't know how come I put it with the frame. Yeah, it was just a day like this. I was really trying. I was really trying to move my legs even more, trying to get into this rhythm where I could lead in this game. But, you know, she was really strong today and she played really well.

Q. You've had a real long run. Are you tired now? Are you feeling weary?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Um, no, I'm actually not feeling too tired, to be honest with you. I wouldn't have minded playing one more match. But of course I'm sure that, you know, when I get to settle down a little bit of the adrenaline comes down and I know that I don't have anything the next couple of weeks, then for sure I'll feel a little bit.

Q. This is her second Grand Slam final this year, and she did not make the breakthrough at Wimbledon. What do you think will be the issues for her, do you think, in order for her to win it, you having played a final here last year?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: What she has to do to win it?

Q. What are going to be the decisive things, you think?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: I don't know. It's tough, because, I mean, she's a great player. It's always tough. A finals, you never know what's gonna happen. It's a finals. She definitely has the chance to win it. I mean, she's a really, really good player. She's playing well, so I don't see a reason why she shouldn't be able to.

Q. Were you surprised about how much support you got out there? You're playing an American. Seems to me like you got about 50% of the support.

KIM CLIJSTERS: It's fun. Obviously, you know, there's a few people that you focus towards, and they're always there. You know, obviously it's my group, the box. But there's moments when, you know, when it's close and you really get the crowd into it and there's big points. I mean, it's fun. It's fun to play in these kind of situations. I mean, it's a lot more fun than playing at 11:00 with half of the stadium full. Obviously this makes you play better, as well.

Q. What are you expecting from Vera tomorrow?

KIM CLIJSTERS: Um, I mean, she's very tough opponent. Obviously I've lost my last two matches against her that we've played against each other, so it's gonna be a tough battle. She's a player who doesn't give you much. She's always there, hangs in there. It's not that she has a game that's very unpredictable, but what she does she does extremely well. So it's going to be a lot different match than it was today, I think, just because, you know, she just, yeah, has a really good backhand. She likes to go for it. She's been serving a lot better, you know, in the last few months that I've seen.


[Photo(s): Getty Images]

(UPDATED) HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Day Ten

Q. How important is it if you have to play Caroline not to get frustrated, because it seems like she makes everyone play patiently?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, you have to be patient against her. She's a tough player because she reads the game well. So you have to be patient but still go for your shots. But, you know, you cannot get frustrated if you are playing against anyone. If you get frustrated, well, you will probably lose the match. Doesn't matter if it's Caroline or someone else on the other side of the net. I think you can -- you know, you should get sometimes angry with yourself. Sometimes you should pump yourself. But you have to always be out there and trying not to get frustrated against anybody.

Q. Will experience matter for you, or do you think that Caroline has enough experience now where you being on the tour longer and being in bigger matches is all that matters to you?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Well, I think Caroline's got enough experience right now. She's very mature for her age, and I think a lot of people are underestimating her. But she's going out there and she's doing her job very, very well. I can say she's very experienced, so it's, you know -- if I have to play Caroline, it's just going to be a tough match, but we both have been in those situations.

Q. What do you feel like when you look up and see your father with your picture on his T shirt?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Ah, I don't know. (Smiling.) He's a proud father. What can I say? I'm just happy to see them supporting me. I don't know where he got this fancy shirt. To be honest, it was somewhere in Belgrade. I cannot say it. He's my father. If he wants to wear this shirt, he can wear this shirt.

Q. Do you want one of those shirts, Novak?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I would never wear the shirt. (Laughter.) Me, personally, never. My father, I understand. Okay. He's proud. But me? Never.

Q. Will you get a matching one of him and he would have you...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I would have him; why not? Not myself. I don't like myself that much. (Laughter.)

Q. What are your plans from here? What do you yourself term as a successful tournament? What are your plans from here on out?

KAIA KANEPI: I go home I think for a week, and then I go to Tokyo to prepare. I play Tokyo, Beijing, Moscow, and if I get to Bali, then also Bali.

Q. What are you gonna take away from your successful tournament here? What do you think was the best part that you learned about yourself making it this far?

KAIA KANEPI: The fighting spirit.

Q. Nadal versus Verdasco, he's 10 0. He's got the winner of Stan and Youzhny if he gets past Verdasco. Can you get the percentage chances of him not reaching the final?

ROGER FEDERER: Want an exact number or...

Q. If you want, but more or less.

ROGER FEDERER: I think he's the favorite. Huge surprise. (Laughter.) I mean, he's No. 1 seed, you know, so he's always gonna be the favorite on that side of the draw. But obviously he's also playing against guys who never won a Slam, never been in finals before, and so that's obviously gonna he's gonna fancy his chances. Plus he hasn't had the roughest of all trips into the quarters.

Then again, with a Saturday Sunday final, it doesn't matter until Saturday how you got there. If you're gonna play an epic maybe on Saturday, that's gonna really influence your chances on final day. That's what's rough about this format here at the Open. Nothing is safe until you're through, until you're in the final. Seems like he's playing real well. 

Yeah, it's hard to say who's gonna beat him out of that section. But then again, they didn't get there without playing well, either, those guys. I'm particularly happy for Stan, that he's had such a great run so far. I'd like to see him go further. The other guys will have their shot, but it's gonna be tough.

UPDATE: In case you haven't seen the aforementioned t-shirt on Srdjan Djokovic, here it is. You've been warned. (via Busted Racquet)

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Days Three + Four

Day 3

Q. Melanie Oudin was talking the other day about the difference of coming in this year with expectations as opposed to prior when people didn't have expectations of her. You at 20 years of age came in as the No. 1 and had to play with great expectations of you. Can you talk about as a very young woman of say 20 years of age what it's like coming in with those expectations and what you've learned now two years later?

ANA IVANOVIC: It is a whole different story. I see myself also as two different persons. Once you're actually coming up and you have no expectations, you are hungry for success, and you really don't know what the stakes are. You just go for it. You have no fear. You play freely against anyone you come up against. 

Once you actually get in a position to defend some points and there is more outside pressure coming in, it is a lot different story. Because even though you perceive yourself the same or maybe even better, if you're improving, still there is a lot of outside effect. That creates some doubts and obviously pressure. Everyone deals with it differently. That's what I feel it was the biggest change with me, is that I managed to sort of let go of this. Now I feel, you know, as I am just coming up again, and I have really nothing to lose. I got that joy of competing again.

Q. Is that the greatest lesson you think you've learned from having been in that rarified air of being the world's top player?

ANA IVANOVIC: Yeah, it is. I mean, I learned about myself and just about the world in general and how everything goes. You know, I mean, what I learned is that it goes on no matter what. (Smiling.)

Q. There's a lot of talk with the McEnroes, John and Patrick, about the future of American tennis. Who is the next big American star. Do you embrace that and want to be that guy?

RYAN HARRISON: Absolutely I want to be that guy. I have a ways to go. I've qualified and still have a ways to go to get there, but I'm definitely working has hard as I can. I'm really putting all the work in. I'm trying to stay open minded with everyone who is giving me their opinion and really trying to listen as much as possible and take in as much as advice as I can. Then just trying to work on the game and work on transitioning up to trying to hopefully being a full time tour player.

Q. Who has given you the best advice?

RYAN HARRISON: Roddick has been helping me since I was 15, 16 years old. Every time I see him, he's always been extremely helpful and really talked to me a lot about some of the things he experienced when he was first coming up. Obviously coaches, Patrick McEnroe, Jay Berger, Diego Moyano is working with me most of the time now. 

My dad coached me from the time I was two years old, and he's been you know, he's been always there for me, always there to support me throughout my entire career. He's been unbelievable about being on me to stay humble and stay you know, stay I guess just to the point where I can really focus on taking it one at a time and just taking every day as it comes.

Q. The replay showed your left foot did touch the line.

ANDY RODDICK: That's fine.

Q. If she had just said left foot would it...

ANDY RODDICK: There would have been no discussion. There would have been zero discussion. There was two after that. It was the fact that I couldn't get her to admit that it wasn't the right foot just infuriated me beyond... The lack of common sense involved in that was unbelievable to me. I just have trouble when they stick to an argument that obviously isn't right. It's her job to call it. 

Like I said, there were two after that that they said front, and there's no argument there. There's zero argument there. I mean, we got to be able to maybe have a test, like point to your right foot, point to your left foot; okay, now call lines. I think that would be maybe standard.

Q. Did she have an opportunity to correct herself, though?

ANDY RODDICK: Well, she was talking. She was talking.

Q. She answered the one thing, right?

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah. Then I pointed again. She said, No. Then I said again, Have we thought about this? Do we realize that it's a physical impossibility? She says, No. I think she was definitely responding, you know, when I was asking questions. None of the responses was, It was your left foot.

Q. In hindsight, did you let it go too far?

ANDY RODDICK: In hindsight did I let it go too far? Yeah, probably. Probably. I think it was a very correctable mistake, and I probably let it get to me more than it should have. Yeah, sure.

Q. You are a good friend of Randy Lu. You play doubles together. You are coached by the same person. Randy beat Andy in Wimbledon. I was wondering if he gave you any tips to beat Andy?

JANKO TIPSAREVIC: Yes, he did.

Q. Or if your coach had specific tactics.

JANKO TIPSAREVIC: Coach told me the regular tactics. I played him twice so I more or less knew what to expect. Coach was mainly telling me what I need to focus on, you know. Regarding Roddick, I more or less knew what strengths and what weaknesses he had. Randy gave me a couple of tips. Well, they worked, so... I am grateful for that.

Q. Touching Andy's chest with your forehead must have some meaning. You don't do that after every match. Why did you do that?

JANKO TIPSAREVIC: You know what, he's not a good friend, he's a friend of mine. I think he's a very nice guy. And, you know, just to say those nice things after probably being really, really disappointed, it was just like an emotional thing. I wanted to hug him, but then it probably wouldn't be so good. So is just saying nice words after being disappointed and losing, I mean, against and underdog on your stadium in front of your home crowd, that just brings up a big champion in him.

DAY 4

Q. What are your thoughts on the possibility of playing Maria Sharapova? [She will be playing Shrieka]

BEATRICE CAPRA: I'm really excited. I think it will be an amazing experience. I know she's just such a tough competitor. You know, when I was younger I used to always look up to her, and so I think it will be a really, you know, good match for me to see where I am compared to that kind of level.

Q. What was it that you looked up to?

BEATRICE CAPRA: I thought she was just so mentally tough. You know, she just always went for her shots, and you can never tell any of her emotions. You know, that really inspired me. One of my great assets is I'm really I like to think that I'm mentally tough, and I'll always stay in the match until the end.

Q. The New York crowd tends to be loud and especially in the night matches. How does the atmosphere at the Open compare to the other Majors?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, the atmosphere here is great. I really love playing here. I mean, it's a great feeling. Also coming back from last year, you know, being in the finals, coming back here and just, yeah, playing on the big courts, it's a great feeling.

Q. How have your expectations of yourself changed from a year ago at this time when you were a surprise and you made the run to the championship match?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Um, the expectations maybe from the outside has changed, but from myself I always go into a tournament and I want to win it. Doesn't really matter what tournament I'm playing, and I always believe in myself. It's not always possible to win every tournament, but at least I give it a shot. You know, the only time I get disappointed with myself is if I feel like I haven't given 100%. You know, I'm almost always giving 100%. It's just about if I lose a match, okay, the opponent was just playing better than me that day, and I need to get back and work harder and be better for next time.

Q. Have you seen any huge improvements in your style lately with Paul on your team now?

ROGER FEDERER: No. I mean, when I'm playing great, regardless of who's in my player box, I can beat anybody, you know. It's about being consistent and being confident in the way I play. I'm not all of a sudden going to play a two handed backhand or serve and volley on my second serve nonstop. It's just not gonna happen. 

It's in the details, and it's very important to me what Paul tells me and what Severin also tells me, who I've been with for three years now. It's an interesting, you know, time right now, because I went through times where I thought every time was interesting for me, because I went through times where I didn't have a coach, I had times where I had two coaches, as well, one coach. Here we are at the stage again where there's someone new to the team, and I kind of like those times, yeah.

Q. You're the only past champion left in the men's tournament. How much of an advantage is that, or a help is that, knowing you've done it in the past versus other players who are trying to but don't know that they can, because they haven't?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, it's definitely an advantage, I would think, yeah, because weathering the conditions here in New York. A lot of players can really do well here in New York because it's a fair kind of a court. 

It's a quick court, so if you're not feeling well, it can all of a sudden slip away from you. So it's a dangerous court to play on, and everybody has the last slam left to prove. I think that's why it makes it really hard to win. You could be unlucky and get hit with a really hot day or a very windy day, and not even in your control sometimes you lose a match here. 

That's where it's important like today to get through easily instead of maybe going five hour match, you know, and losing the tournament because of a match like this, you know. Yeah, I mean, I would consider it as an advantage. But again, I'm not at match point serving for it, so still a lot of hard work to do.

Gilbert: "Do you have that tweener shot between your legs?"

Novak Djokovic: "No, I have something else between my legs." [Would you care to share???]

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Andy Roddick

I had a Britney Spears moment after Wimbledon.

- Andy Roddick when asked about his most recent hairy situation during his presser at the Atlanta Tennis Championships today

Wow. Of all the moments that's one of the worst. See photo.

[Photo(s): X17] 

HE SAID/HE SAID: Wimbledon Day Nine

Q. Roger said he had some physical problems; that his back and leg were bothering him. What did you notice and what is your reaction to him saying that?

TOMAS BERDYCH: Yeah, I mean, I don't know if he just looking for some excuses after the match or something like that. I mean, it happened to all of us. You know, I think he's been every time when he played, he was I think hundred percent ready.

So maybe right now he's getting some more troubles with the health. But, you know, I think it just happen today. So I didn't know that. I just heard it first time like you said it right now. So, yeah, just to him hope that he's gonna get back soon and that's it what I can just wish him.

Q. He also said he was unlucky and that he definitely gave the match away. What are your thoughts about that?

TOMAS BERDYCH: I don't know in which point he was saying that he was unlucky, if any specific moment or something.

Q. He was saying generally or on big points.

TOMAS BERDYCH: Okay. I mean, yeah, maybe you can take it for both ways. You can say that he was unlucky or you can say that maybe the opponent was a little bit better and he just won the big points against him. In his position, then he lost the match.

You know, I think, yeah, he's a great player. I mean, but still, I mean, when I just read some newspapers in the morning, I was not surprised, but, you know, to heard something from him to the way that he's fine, nothing is bothering him. When we played the last match, I lost. But last time in Wimbledon, I won pretty easily. You know, stuff like that.

You know, I saw him quite first time from him the reactions like that. So whatever. I'm in different position. I'm just enjoying the win today, and this is just everything behind me.

Q. Will this [loss] make you hungrier to make you come back and show you can lift this title again?

ROGER FEDERER: Sure. God, I can't wait for Paris and Wimbledon to come around next year again, that's for sure. So, uhm, because they've been frustrating tournaments for me, even though it wasn't too bad.

Quarters is a decent result. Obviously people think quarters is shocking, but people would die to play in quarterfinal stages of Grand Slam play. It's not something I'm used to doing, losing in quarterfinals, because it's not something I've done in the last six years.

So I am winning my matches. Today was a different story than Paris. I mean, I think in Paris conditions were tough. Robin played fantastic. Today was different. You know, I was struggling with my own game and with my physique.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to a rest, and then attack again in North America.

Q. What concern do you have that the injuries will linger?

ROGER FEDERER: Not much of a concern.

Q. Do you feel you can get back to a position of domination in tennis?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I do think that. That's why I'm here.

Q. You were upset about the overrule call there. What did the chair umpire say to you? How did he explain that? You seemed to start playing very well after that. You had a run of points. What happened there?

RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah, you know, for the umpire sometimes is not easy to make the right decision. For me today was too important point, because was 30‑All to make this drastic decision. For sure if you asking me if that ball affect me, I said yes. When the line say 'out,' I play the shot like this without.

I mean, was a mistake, but everybody can have a mistake. Yes, after that I played very good point on the breakpoint against. I was little bit lucky to do the break in the first game on his serve in the second set. After, I think I played a great match.

Q. You seemed very fired up or angry immediately after that point. Do you think it helped you, the call?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. Was an important moment for me, because if he did the break in the first game of the second, gonna be hard to accept for me.

But anyway, I gonna fight all the match. But I saved that point, and after that change everything. I think I started to play much better. He started to do a few mistakes, because in the beginning he didn't have no one.

I'm very happy. Very difficult and very important win for me.

Q. How are the courts playing? There's been no rain at all. How are the courts playing?

RAFAEL NADAL: Perfect.

Q. Perfect?

RAFAEL NADAL: Is dry.

Q. Just your conditions?

RAFAEL NADAL: Lot of clay behind the baseline (smiling.) You can move well, so... Perfect conditions.

Q. Do you think Rafa is playing as well this year as anyone? How does he compare, his level, as in the French Open?

ROBIN SODERLING: Well, I think he's playing well. He's hitting the ball very well. Of course, he's moving well, as always.

But, you know, it's very difficult to compare how he's playing on grass compared to clay. But he's the world No. 1, and I think he's playing pretty solid tennis. He's got a good chance to win this one.

Q. You say he has a good chance to win the tournament?

ROBIN SODERLING: I think so, yeah. I think everybody still in has a good chance. But now that Roger lost, I'd pick him as the favorite.

Q. You looked excited by your performance today.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it's really refreshing, you know, to perform this way I'd say after a while. You know, I was struggling with the level of my performance throughout the last five, six months. It was a lot of ups and downs.

But right now I'm playing great. It definitely makes me happy.

Q. You said the game has changed for you. You've been struggling for the last couple months. What has changed or turned the tide for you?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I don't think game‑wise I was far away from my maximum and from my top game in the last couple months. It was more like a mental struggle, I guess. I wasn't finding myself on the court. I was ‑‑ uhm, had too much distractions, meaning mental discomfort on the court; wasn't feeling great; had a lot of ups and downs.

But it's a part of the sport, part of the career. You just have to accept it that way. I'm sure everybody has been through that little mini crisis if you want to call it.

But it's important to take the best out of it and continue in the right way. That's what I did. I just want to look forward now.

Q. Now you got to one Grand Slam quarterfinal. Have you got more in you?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I mean, is great. Is great for me. Now I know how I can reach the quarterfinal. Is good experience for me.

And I cannot say next time I play the US Open or next time coming back I have to be quarterfinal. But I know, and I knew, how I have to be, then I can reach the quarterfinal.

So I like to coming back here again and to play good tennis and to be ready next year. And also I hope I can play next time against Djokovic again. I mean, probably he's now happy. Today's too easy for him. I mean, I will try my best next year, yeah.

Q. What aspects of your game do you think you have to improve to compete with guys like Djokovic today?

YEN‑HSUN LU: I mean, I think of course probably I need to find some way to get the points. I think we play a little bit similar, but he's playing more fast, more aggressive than me. Also the returns, I have to bring more back to him, then I have chance to play the points.

So, I mean, everything I have, I still have space to improve. I mean, I'm not just think, Yeah, is great, is finish my career. I know I have many things to improve. Serve, you know. Physically, forehand, backhand, everything. I have to discuss my coach, conditioning trainer also, to see what we can do the next.

Q. What are your thoughts on the keys to playing well against Nadal?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, you need to serve well and you need to play great tennis. It's not, you know ‑‑ there's not one way to play against him. You don't want to leave the ball in the middle of the court to his forehand, because you'll do a lot of running.

But you've got to serve well and, you know, try and, you know, keep a good length and play well really, really, really well.

Q. How much have you seen of Nadal here this year and what have you made of him?

ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I've seen him play a little bit. Not that much. You know, we've been playing a lot of our matches ‑‑ we obviously play on the same day, and you're kind of focused on your match and obviously preparing for that.

Uhm, I saw a little bit of his match against Robin Haase and a little bit of his match against Petzschner. I followed his match with Petzschner. I saw a bit of that.

He's playing great. He's in the semifinals of a Grand Slam and he beat Soderling today, who's, well, playing the best tennis of his career. You know, he's a great player, too. So he's obviously playing very well.

Q. Do you take any sort of psychological edge after beating him in Australia?

ANDY MURRAY: No. I think, you know, he would definitely be the favorite for the match, you know, with his results here the last few years.

You know, he obviously didn't get a chance to defend his title last year, but he's played three finals in a row and now he's in the semis here.

You know, he's obviously a very tough player on any surface, but he plays great tennis here. No, I mean, psychologically I need to believe that I can win the match. That's the most important thing.

Q. Everyone in England will get excited about Murray maybe winning Wimbledon. How do you rate his chances?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I hope is gonna be him. I told him, you know, at the net, Make me a pleasure; go all the way, you know.

Yeah, I hope he will win because it's a good player. It's never easy to play, you know, in front of his crowd. He's really strong, and I hope he will win.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]