Whether they won or lost, players told the media exactly how they felt on a variety of on and off court questions during the ninth day of the Australian Open. Here’s a quick sampling of their best, candid, and most eyebrow raising comments.

More: Federer's Daughers Want Him to Aim for The Lines More

Q. Do you have as much fun on the tennis court at various stages throughout your career, satisfaction with the way you're playing?

“Yeah, I think this tournament in particular I've been trying to do different things and I've been having a lot of fun on the court. I told myself that I'm here to have fun now. I've done everything that I didn't want to do, you know. I didn't think I would have done as well as I have.

Everything from here on out, every match, is a bonus for me. I don't have to win this tournament or any other tournament for as long as I live. I really want to enjoy being a professional tennis player and playing on Grand Slam courts, moments like this.”

- Serena Williams, after reaching the AO Semifinals

Q. How frustrating is it to not be able to break through against Serena?

“Well, it's obviously always frustrating. I mean, it's motivating. It's tough to sit here 30 minutes after the match and talk about the match, but that's part of my job. It's motivating because she's at a different level. She makes you go back to the drawing board, not just for me, but for many other players. She makes you work. That's inspiring.”

- Maria Sharapova, after losing for the 18th straight time to Serena Williams

Q. Given your last couple matchups with Roger, how would you assess his level? Has he gone up another level or do you feel like your performance wasn't there?

“I think he's still on pretty high level, playing a great tennis. That's it. I mean, he's just proving how great player he is, how difficult at this time it is to play him. To facing Roger in quarters, it's quite difficult to have it like that. But that's all right.”

- Tomas Berdych, after losing to Roger Federer in the quarterfinals

Q. What would it mean to you to win one more major or maybe more, but in this era of Novak, if you were to get over the line one more time?

“I mean, a lot, yeah. It's part of the reason why I guess I'm still playing. I feel like I'm competitive at the top. I can beat all the guys on tour. It's nice now that in the last three slams that I've been as consistent as I have been. I'm playing good tennis, fun tennis for me anyway. I really enjoy being able to come to the net more like back in the day. So I'm very pleased. It would mean a lot to me, no doubt about it.”

- Roger Federer, after reaching the semifinals

Q. If five years ago when you were much behind in the head-to-head with Federer and with Nadal, do you think there was one of the two who was less difficult to reach? Were you thinking that you had more chances to level the head-to-head with Nadal or with Federer?

“Well, I was behind most of the head-to-heads against most players throughout my career. It does feel good, I must say, to level the head-to-head. I did go through my moments, periods of my career, where I was doubting myself, not knowing really if I can manage to get to No. 1 and achieve the childhood dream, break the dominance of these two guys. Of course, I've been through those moments.

But those moments made me tougher. You know, under those circumstances and challenges when I was down, I had an opportunity to grow and to get better. That's what I used. I haven't done it myself only. I've done it with a great support and energy and love from the close ones, family and team members.

I always believed that sooner or later with a great dedication to this sport and great passion that we all share that we're going to have a success and it's going to pay off, which it did eventually. Certain things had to come together, not only on a professional but a private level. I think over the time I matured.”

- Novak Djokovic, after reaching the semifinals