LONDON—Talk is cheap.
Players have provided priceless moments with their words at this week’s World Tour Finals.
Federer: Top Spot Close, Far Away
Here are some of the most provocative, candid and funny comments from player press conferences at the O2 Arena.
“It was a big distraction, I'll tell you that, because it was very big. That's what I should have aimed for. That target was bigger than the down-the-line court that I had.”—Roger Federer on reaction to Jack Sock turning his backside to the Swiss presenting an expansive target on a forehand sitter.
“I am, of course, disappointed. But I am not going to cry. I had a great season. I really appreciate all the things that happened to me during the whole season. Thanks life for this unforgettable one. I going to work hard to try to give me more chances the next season to keep being at the top and fighting for the most important things. Thank you, and Merry Christmas, everyone.”—Rafael Nadal after his withdrawal from the World Tour Finals.
“I enjoy it now in a different way. I think it was more exhilarating when I was younger because everything was new, it was fresh. It was the unknown. And today I know most of it, you know. I'm very calm. But there's a deeper understanding what I'm going through. So maybe the satisfaction is when I do win and I do show up at the best tournaments in the world, like here, I know it's not normal maybe to be here, so I appreciate it actually maybe even more so now at this age.”—Roger Federer on the experience of playing his 15th World Tour Finals.
“I just choked… It’s been an awesome year. Still, the end of the year was absolute crap for me. If I would have played the whole year like I did, by the end of the year I don't think I would have finished top 50.”—Alexander Zverev after losing to Jack Sock in his final round-robin match.
“It’s tough. The guy is 20 years old. He’s played some absolutely outstanding tennis in his career. I mean (he) can’t even legally drink a beer in the U.S. and he’s three in the world playing like he is.”—Jack Sock reacting to Zverev’s choking comment.
“You mentioned only one girlfriend in there? Man, c'mon.”—Grigor Dimitrov responding to a reference about former “Russian girlfriend” Maria Sharapova.
“He's always had fun on and off the court. So I think he just feels probably more confident in this whole thing. I went through the same situation, to be quite honest. Through success, I calmed down a little bit and felt like I knew myself and knew my place better.”—Roger Federer on the maturation of Grigor Dimitrov.
“Obviously Nebraska is the best place for tennis players.”—Jack Sock on becoming first American World Tour Finals semifinalist since fellow Nebraska native Andy Roddick in 2007.
“Yes, it is the best win of my career, but it was, yeah, a special one against Rafa who was not 100 percent.”—David Goffin on defeating Rafael Nadal for the first time.
“Souvenir for a fan way up there. Don't get to sit that close. They get to keep a ball now. It's kind of cool.”—Jack Sock on incurring a code violation for belting a ball into the upper deck.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve