By Chris Oddo | Wednesday July 4, 2018
The press rooms are full of chatter on the first week of Wimbledon and we’ve been canvassing the footage to find you the best quotes of the first round of the Championships. So, without any further ado…
Eugenie Bouchard, on Life and Tennis
“I have learned that life is great. Being Genie is great. Tennis is so fun, and I'm lucky to do it as my job.”
Novak Djokovic, on his diet, and his dream
“I love tasting the grass of Wimbledon. That means that I'm in the finals and I won. That's kind of like a little tradition, I would say, the three times that I managed to win this great tournament. I've always dreamed of winning Wimbledon. Kind of constructed little trophies when I was seven years old, eight years old, of Wimbledon, raising that trophy in front of the mirror, imagining myself to be a Wimbledon champion. That was always one of the biggest dreams. When I imagined myself doing that one day, I said, I must eat a grass. For some reason, I don't know why I picked that. The first time I've done it, it was the sweetest dessert I've ever tasted in my life. That experience hopefully I'll get to taste one more time before I finish my career."
Petra Kvitova, on where she most feels the pressure at Slams.
“I think it's the first rounds, second rounds, and third rounds, as well. After that, it's fine.”
Nick Kyrgios, on the happy place
“I guess I'm in kind of like a happy place. I feel like I'm playing well. I mean, I have a different approach. I feel like I'm one of the guys that can cause a bit of an uproar at this event.”
Rafael Nadal, on his sunny disposition
“I like these conditions. Being honest, the life is much better with the sunshine there. Is happier. For the spectators, for the tournament, for the players, is better this kind of weather.”
Simon Halep, on the mutual adoration between herself and fans (said with a smile)
“I had nice welcome when I entered on court. Actually we entered both together, so was for both of us, not just for me. But I took it more for me.”
Belinda Bencic, on her endless love of Wimbledon
“I have to say every time I come here, I'm, like, excited and amazed like the first time I was here, so I hope that feeling never goes away. I don't think it ever gets old here.”
Feliciano Lopez, on passing Roger Federer to grab the all-time record for consecutive Slams played
REPORTER: At a time when Roger and Rafa and Novak have a lot of the records, how does it feel for you to have a record like that? What does it mean?
FELICIANO LOPEZ: Well, when I was about breaking the record, I thought, wow, I'm going to beat Federer at something, which is a lot already.
Maria Sharapova, putting a difficult loss in perspective
“Tennis is a process. I've certainly made a lot of progress despite this result today. I've made a lot of progress in the last few months. I find myself in a much better position than at this time last year.”
Milos Raonic, when asked by a reporter if he ever got sick of Roger Federer winning so much.
“It's not a particular focus on Roger. I'm just sick of myself losing.”
Sloane Stephens, on dealing with a difficult Wimbledon loss
“I don't hang onto things very long. You just think about what I did wrong, what I can improve, what I'm going to do next. I let go of it and move on. I think coming up, the US Open, very special moment for an American to win a US Open. I'm honored to be able to go back as defending champion.”
Borna Coric, Halle Champion, is okay with his grass season despite going out in Round 1 at Wimbledon.
“If somebody said I'm going to do 500 points on the grass, I would sign up. So I cannot complain.”
Serena Williams, AKA Mrs. Williams, on her new marital status at Wimbledon
REPORTER: Was the umpire calling you 'Mrs. Williams'? If so, did they ask you how you'd like to be addressed?
SERENA WILLIAMS: You know, it still doesn't register that I'm married actually. It's just crazy (laughter). So much has happened in the past 12 months.