LONDON, July 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – AFP Sport picks out 10 of the best quotes
from this year’s Wimbledon which drew to a close on Sunday:
“These kind of matches, you work for, you live for, they give sense and
they give value to every minute you spend on the court training and working
to get yourself in this position and play the match with one of your greatest
rivals of all time.” – Novak Djokovic reflects on winning his fifth Wmbledon
title beating Roger Federer in the longest final in the tournament’s history.
“I’m the loser both times, so that’s the only similarity I see.” – Federer
on what were the similarities between losing to Djokovic and to Rafael Nadal
in 2008, the previous holder of the longest ever Wimbledon men’s final.
“In Australia, people used to stare at me because I was in a wheelchair.
Now they stare at you because you’re Dylan Alcott and know who you are.”
— Straight-talking Australian Dylan Alcott, a paraplegic since birth, who
is three-quarters of the way to a calendar Grand Slam.
“Pressure got to me, and it got to a point where it was a bit
embarrassing.”
— Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime has been compared to American
legend Arthur Ashe but like the rest of the ‘NextGen’ generation found the
‘p’ word too much to bear as he crashed out in the third round to unheralded
Frenchman Ugo Humbert who had never played a grass court match before this
year.
“The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you
and me will be the day I’m in my grave.”
— Serena Williams delivers a stinging rebuke in answer to a question
about Billie Jean King’s advice she gives up being a fighter for equality and
her celebrity lifestyle to focus on tennis. By far the most effective blow
she landed on women’s singles final day where she was outclassed by Simona
Halep.
“My mom said when I was 10 that if I want to do something in tennis I have
to play in the final at Wimbledon.”
— Engaging Halep fulfils mum’s wishes and how in her 6-2, 6-2 dismantling
of Williams.
“Can I leave? I feel like I’m about to cry.” – Former world number one
Naomi Osaka’s world has come crashing down around her just months after
adding the Australia Open to the US Open victory last year — she became the
first top-two seed to exit Wimbledon in the first round since Martina Hingis
in 2001.
“Today is sad because for me I know chances are not forever.”
— Spanish legend Rafael Nadal after his four-set defeat by Roger Federer
in the semi-finals reflects on how the chances of a third Wimbledon title are
receding with the passing of the years.
“I don’t speak to anyone. Normally I do everything quickly when I lose.
I’m very disappointed. I spend most of the time alone, and the rest of the
day, as well. So don’t touch me.”
— Ukrainian Elina Svitolina warning boyfriend Gael Monfils and her
entourage she won’t be the best of company after losing badly to Halep in the
semi-finals.
“We don’t talk personally. I don’t have her number or anything. I would
like that.”
— Coco Gauff, who at 15 brought a much-needed injection of fresh talent
and fun to the women’s game, reacts to her role model former United States
First Lady Michelle Obama tweeting “Coco is terrific.”