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“It was a very tough match. I came here to win and didn't want to lose early, so I'm relieved to have that first win.”
“A lot of it has to do with her seeing the ball early, and she knows what you're going to do.”
“Mentally it was pretty tough, when you know you've got a very patient opponent and you know that it's really hot out there.”
“I wouldn't say I'm in love with [the extra inches. Because if I wear heels, I'm like 6-4. It's a little too tall.”
“I'm so excited to be here, to be one of the top eight girls, ... It's great to be playing where the (Los Angeles) Lakers play. You just feel the excitement. I know I went out there and played my game. I was on.”
“I'm 17 years old and there are many great things ahead. If I don't win the U.S. Open this year, it's not going to be a disaster in my life.”
“I want to play for Russia, I definitely want to play for Russia in Fed Cup competition,”
“It can be tough to stay motivated to run and train. So when I have a comfortable shoe where I can feel cushion and I can feel like I'm walking on air, then there's so much more enjoyment in my training. The Air Max 360 does that for me.”
“I don’t follow other players or the tournaments they play. I have my own schedule and do my own thing. I never really think, 'Oh, I want to be or play like so-and-so.' I just like being myself”
“He's so talented and just plays so loose. It seems like he's playing without any effort, plays always by instinct.”
“But coming here for the first time in years it made me feel even more so.”
“When you come off the court and you feel like you were losing the whole match, and all of a sudden you pulled it out, you know, it's those moments that you feel you've trained for and you work hard for. Just lucky to get through.”
“I hit a shot. I turned away. The next thing I know, the crowd went silent, and I turned around and she's on the ground. I feel terrible for her.”
“She tried to mix it up a little at the end of the first set and I knew it would be physically harder. Mentally, I told myself it doesn't matter how many balls it takes, you're going to do everything possible to get one more ball back.”
“It's very unfortunate. She played unbelievable tennis, the best I've seen her play. She played basically out of her mind in the second set, and it was so close in the third set.”
“I think I started of really well from the first match. I was really read. It was a bit unexpected because I didn't play a lot of matches coming into the tournament, so I thought I would be a little rusty at the beginning.”
“I kind of gave it all I had in the tiebreaker and just basically ran out of gas in the third set. Physically, I have to get a lot better and play these three-setters where the points are going to go on and on. Today's match is a great example that it's physical.”
“Wow! It's absolutely amazing, I can't believe I pulled this match out today,”
“I think they obviously wanted a better match. After the first set, it didn't look like it was going to be much of a match.”
“You're playing a great champion, someone that's obviously achieved a lot in her career. And she's still young. Any opponent that I see across the net, I cannot think about whether they're terrible or they're great. I can't put that in my mind.”
“I wasn't fighting out there in the second set, ... I wasn't the Maria you usually see, fighting for every single point.”
“I thought it was too easy in the beginning,”
“A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn’t have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible.”
“Women's tennis is at such a high level now that any of the top 10 or 20 players could give me a tough match. Martina is on her comeback and no doubt will reach the top again but I don't have a specific rival here.”
“The first three games was a little bit tough. I haven't played a lot of matches. I had to get used to the conditions in the stadium. I haven't played under the lights for a while.”
“I felt really good. It feels good to get back into action. It's good to be back on the court competing. That's where I belong.”
“It's good to finish the year with a win. But I didn't want to win like that.”
“This is my favorite grand slam and I'd never imagined I'd be in the final so early. I don't know what to say, I'm going to cry right now.”
“Lindsay is always tough on this surface, it's very quick. I know it was a great final this year, so I'm really looking forward to, hopefully, another great final with her.”
“I have to feel safe in order to perform well,”
“But it's about being in those situations and learning from them and although I've played a lot of matches already in my life, I'm still pretty young and have a lot to learn. But I am learning and I think you can see that.”
“It would be an amazing achievement,”
“I'm very pleased. I definitely stepped it up in this match. I knew I had to. It was very important that I did step it up. I took my opportunities, took my chances, and that was important.”
“But it would mean a lot. I don't think I've shown New York how I can play tennis. Hopefully I can put together some good matches for my New York fans.”
“The first few games I was serving 69 miles per hour, ... It's pretty funny. I think it's even funnier from TV because they can't see the wind. These people probably think we look like beginners. That's the sad part.”
“When it's that hot, just mentally you've got to be so tough.”
“I heard she's got a big and powerful game,”
“As a player, I want to know that line calls are as accurate as technology will allow. In that sense, today's announcement is great news for all players.”
“I had only myself as company, ... It just made me tougher.”
“I gave it all I had in the tie breaker and then in the third I ran out of gas, ... At that point it's pretty tough, physically as the points were going longer, it was to Kim's advantage. Physically, I still have to get a lot better.”
“The score doesn't say much about the match,”
“I kind of gave it all I had in the tie-breaker,”
“I fell ill during the trip from Tokyo to Paris,”
“It was definitely not easy. It was a miracle when someone held serve.”
“It's hard to predict things, but I'm sure it's going to be a good match.”
“Oh God, I don't know what I'm doing here right now, ... I'm so excited to be in the semis, it's an amazing feeling.”
“She was able to come back from tough points and play a few more. I was just not able to keep up with that pace and that was the key.”
“But my most successful year was last year because I won my first grand slam at Wimbledon.”
“That's makes it even tougher but that's what it's all about. That's why we're here, for the competition. I love it when it gets tough.”
“Overall I'm happy to get through the match, but it definitely wasn't the best match I played,”
“Well, fans always root for the underdog.”
“I was in that period right after I won Wimbledon, ... The next four months, I felt like I had to win every match. It's a matter of telling yourself that it's impossible to win everything ? no matter what people say. You can't control people's actions. My big thing is to just keep working hard. Because one day, you're going to be on court and you'll win a match and realize that the hard work paid off. That's exactly what I did last year. I lost here and I worked my butt off.”
“I look forward to the challenge of doing well here. I want to protect my number one ranking.”
“The wind was definitely a factor with the serves sometimes. I tried not to go for the lines so much, and just tried to be consistent.”
“That's why I play tennis, because I want to be number one, not because I want to be number 10, ... If you don't want to be number one in the world, then there is no reason for you even to start.”
“In the second set, mentally I wasn't there and I didn't have any motivation. I wasn't fighting, I basically gave up.”
“I love playing in front of the New York City fans. But fighting New York City traffic is the worst.”
“It was a lot tougher than it seemed. I needed to find a way to win every single point. You know, it's all right. Still got through it without serving great.”
“Yeah, ... I kind of gave it all I had in the tiebreaker. Then in the third set, I just kind of ran out of gas, basically.”
“I enjoy it. Like I said in my previous press conferences, I think in the morning I was doing the 'Today' show, all being glamorous. Then I'm back on the court after three hours, and I'm working hard. This is where I feel I really belong.”
“It was very frustrating because tournament after a tournament, I'd be working hard, I'd be trying to get back in shape, and all of a sudden my injury would bring me down again.”
“We have tough matches and I've been able to pull through, so I'm very happy.”
“She's a great mover and makes you play another ball, but I was ready for that.”
“It comes on unexpectedly from day to day and I can't control it, ... I'm not a player who goes on court without intending to finish a match. It's bad enough to have to withdraw before you play, but to retire during a match is even more disappointing.”
“'I just look over there for inspiration, motivation. You know, sometimes when I'm a little bit flat, they get me going.”
“It's like he's Mr Perfect and nothing's going wrong for him at this point,”
“It'll be great. Of course I was disappointed last year. But . . I'll get my revenge.”
“I thought I played really well, ... I was in control for most of the match.”
“She's an experienced player. I have to move on and there are so many things I have to work on.”
“I haven't played a lot of matches, so I'm just trying to get used to the conditions, the stadium, the wind, playing under the lights for the first time in a while. When you're out for a little while, first match you're a little tentative. The injury, you don't know how it's going to be. So far it's OK.”
“I'm going to be busy these next several weeks rehabbing, training and getting healthy so that I can play my very best for myself, the fans, tournaments and sponsors in 2006. I tried my best to fight through my injuries during the season, but I now realize that I need to take some time off to rest my body and get back to being 100 percent healthy. I look forward to regaining my form and playing at the same highly competitive level that I have in the past. This has been such a disappointing year for me because I'm such a competitive person and I like to win for myself and for my fans.”
“When the points started getting longer and longer, I felt that she had the advantage.”
“I got off to a great start and then maybe I wasn't aggressive enough and let her into the match in the second set. I don't know exactly what happened, I just lost my concentration a bit, but was able to get back on track in the final set.”
“It wasn't the Maria that you usually see fighting out there. I was just kind of down and said, `Hey, you've got to get back to work now.'”
“I feel a lot stronger in my arm. I moved quite well today. I don't think I've moved that well in quite a while.”
“She was just too good on those long points.”
“I played a really good, solid first set. Then I got a blister on my foot and the taping made it worse.”
“I knew she would be very patient and I tried to be extra-patient. I knew she wouldn't overpower me.”
“I was hoping that it would be better by now, ... but unfortunately I am not yet able to play.”
“What I do best is compete. This is just something I do for fun.”
“I played really well in the first set but then I just got too comfortable. I wasn't physically tired but mentally I was coasting. I just had to get myself together mentally and fight for it.”
“When I do that, it means I'm not going to miss the ball.”
“I'm very disappointed I am not able to continue my play in Philadelphia. I was having a really good tournament and I'm sure it will still be an exciting final weekend. I just wish I could be a part of it.”
“I know that I did not win this match fairly, ... I do not like such victories.”
“I feel optimistic about the Open and my shoulder is doing well,”
“It's an amazing achievement. That's all I really can say.”
“I played two players of completely different styles today and that took some time adjusting.”
“When the matches get tougher and you're pushed more, automatically, the level of your game increases.”
“I won the first set, and I felt like for some reason, it was over,”
“It's good I had a piece of chocolate cake yesterday, or I would have been in that globe somewhere [referring to a giant statue of a globe near the stadium]. I'm glad I gained a few pounds. I practice in Florida, but it's never like this. This was pretty extreme.”
“It was up and down. I felt a little awkward in some situations because I haven't been match tough lately. I'm absolutely exhausted.”
“I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous before the match, ... I knew she was a strong player. I wasn't myself on the court today.”
“I think we got the point that there was a soccer match or something going on.”
“I needed to keep on attacking as it is difficult to keep rallying with her.”
“I hit a good, deep return and Samantha made some errors, she tried to go for too much and she gave me easy ones to put away.”
“I love Miami. There's a lot of entertainment going on. Some of the tournaments on the tour are pretty boring. This isn't one of them.”
“It will be really exciting playing Martina. I've never played her before. Obviously, it will be a tough match.”
“Mentally, ... I wasn't there. I didn't have any motivation. But I was better in the third set; I started making the great passing shots that I needed to break her.”
“I think physically it was very difficult to keep up with Svetlana today. She was able to come back from the tough points and play a few more.”
“Who knows? Maybe I'll say it again sometime.”
“I knew I had to be consistent against her. That's her biggest strength, being consistent. She's not going to overpower me on the court. She's just going to try to make me hit another ball. I thought I did that really well. I took my opportunities, took my chances, and that was important.”
“That's one of the first times I played a match without feeling anything.”
“We've had such tough matches and I've been able to pull through three in a row - it's a confidence boost.”
“I’m just like every other girl who likes to shop, likes to look good, likes to spend time with friends”
“The fact you are No. 1, it just puts a smile on your face,”
“Every tournament I come into I want to win. I have been playing very good and I'm very confident. I don't think anything can stop me -- unless I lose!”
“You practice hard and work on a lot of things, but the actual competition is totally different. I was just trying to get in a groove.”
“I now have two titles (singles and doubles) under my belt and it feels great, ... I think with these things, it is a matter of time. If you put in the hard work - and I have worked so hard - I think this week really showed and it paid off.”
“It gives me a lot of confidence that I can pull out a win like that when there are points in the match where you don't feel great.”
“Today was probably one of the hottest days I've ever experienced in my life. It was pretty brutal out there.”
“That wasn't really a match for me. I was already in the semis, so I just wanted to save my energy. Obviously, she must be playing great tennis but I just need to go out there and step it up if I want to be in the semis.”
“In the second set I could have fought a little harder. I didn't have the fighting sprit that I usually have.”
“I knew it was going to be tough. I came out hitting a lot of winners. I felt like I was playing great. After the second set, I didn't feel like I was there. I felt like I was making too many errors. I managed to get it back (in the third set).”
“I wanted to say that I am happy for this win, ... But now I just want to say that I am sad for Milagros. I wish her the best, and I want her to know that she should be very proud of the great week she had.”
“It's good that I ate some chocolate cake last night, ... I'm glad I put on a few pounds. Otherwise, I might have blown away out there.”
“She's played a lot of matches on clay, she feels the ball, she sees the ball well,”
“That's not the way I like to win matches, but anything can happen in tennis.”
“I wanted to say that I am happy for this win. But now I just want to say that I am sad for Milagros. I wish her the best, and I want her to know that she should be very proud of the great week she had.”
“Sometimes I feel my arm is like a swan's neck - so weak.”
“Without playing great, without having a forehand or a serve, you win. The bad thing is I can't really hit a big serve and you feel like crap.”
“I put extra pressure on her second serve and I was in control on most points,”
“My dad was my wake-up call and he said, 'Good morning, champion,' ... He is really happy. My mom called later, and she is really happy.”
“She's got a lot of fighting spirit out there, ... I was very proud of myself for being able to win that game. It was a very tough one.”
“I kind of gave it all I had in the tiebreaker and just basically ran out of gas in the third set, ... Physically, I have to get a lot better and play these three-setters where the points are going to go on and on. Today's match is a great example that it's physical.”
“I just know for a fact that I never have to prove anything to anyone. No one expected me to win Wimbledon at 17 and no one expected me to be number one at 18.”
“She's very young and has a great future.”
“I was moving quite well in the first set and then second set I felt a little sloppy, ... You know, played a sloppy game at 4-2 serving with the wind, made a few easy errors. But other than that, came back strong. She hits pretty flat, so it was a little different compared to the other opponents I played in previous matches.”
“Women's tennis players are getting as many sponsors and media coverage as men, and our TV ratings at the Grand Slams are pretty much equal to and often better than the men, so I don't understand the rationale for paying the men more than us.”
“I'm running in Central Park like every single day, getting my movement, still trying to get my arm stronger.”
“Eight weeks ago, I wasn't sure if I was playing tennis again. So to be out here feeling healthy and being able to move and hit my shots, that part alone feels great to me, let alone actually playing well. So now all of a sudden I'm faced with the reality that I can actually go enjoy the Open this year because I'm doing a few things right, which is nice to feel. I like where I am right now.”
“I actually felt pretty good. I'm really happy about it because that's one of the first times I played a match without feeling anything. You know, I don't expect it to be that like for the whole tournament. So I'm very happy I got through that one without any pain.”
“But strange things do happen in tennis and today's match was one of them.”
“All the soldiers are down and it will be whoever can get up.”
“The computer doesn't lie. You have to achieve something to get there. It's been an amazing two years and the achievement is amazing.”
“This was the first really hot day. It's good to get through these kind of matches.”
“I think it's the toughest grand slam to win because of the traffic getting here and the busy city.”
“The major problem was that I tried to do too much at certain times,”
“She started hitting the ball, hitting good shots. You stop and think, `What happened? I was up 4-0 and it's back to 4-all.'”
“In these windy conditions, it's hard to go for your shots. I think I just try to get the ball in play, hit it deep, you know, get in the point rather than try and hit a winner.”
“New York hasn't ever seen the best of me.”
“I think the surface helps a lot. It gives a lot more free points than other surfaces. Serving aces out of nowhere when you haven't had any before, that comes out of confidence.”
“She has had a really good week. She's beaten some good players. Just have to keep improving with every match. It's going to get tougher and tougher as you go along in the tournament.”
“I wasn't fighting out there in the second set. It was like I was giving it up. But it gives me confidence I can pull out a win like that.”
“Martina's return gives a lot of excitement to the game. Definitely she hasn't played for a long time, but I think everyone is very excited.”
“I think today I played much better, especially in the first set, than in my first match on Wednesday,”
“I played really sloppy on my serve. She took advantage of that and started hitting winners right and left.”
“It was really close in the first set, and then I just went for too much at the wrong times. She's on a big winning streak and that is giving her more and more confidence.”
“It's never easy coming back after being a set up and then being up 3-1 and all of a sudden it becomes 3-all. You know, it's going to be a different match from there. But I guess I was playing the right way yesterday. When the rain started coming down, the conditions got a lot heavier. I was rushing it a little bit. I guess it was good just to have a good night's sleep.”
“I don't think the scores showed anything, it was physically and mentally so challenging to play against her today. We were fighting for everything.”
“I surprised myself in the first round, that's for sure.”
“I'm not the biggest fan. I'd rather watch something else than tennis.”
“It was tough today, she was hitting winners off both sides and I couldn't put two points together. I was a little tired from my previous matches.”
“I wasn't winning that match. She was doing the right things and I wasn't.”
“I knew she would not overpower me. I just had to be a little patient.”
“She's a complete player. There's no big weakness in her game. I have to be ready for a tough match.”
“This is something I've dreamed of all my life, ... It's just an amazing fact to be No. 1 in world. Topping it off, I am the first Russian. I'm so excited that I could achieve it.”
“I remember not being very patient with her, ... A lot of things have happened since then. Hopefully I can use my experience to beat her.”
“I basically just tried to hang in there. I wasn't playing my best tennis, for sure, but I started to pick it up in the third.”
“Most of the top players are playing, aren't they?”
“I always say that my most successful year is last year, no matter how much more success having been made in my career, because I won my first grand slam title at the age of 17-year-old that I could not have imagined and also because it (Wimbledon) is my favorite championship and I just cherish it very much, so to be No. 1 at 18-year-old is just to be consistent.”
“I played really solid tennis. I played smart tennis. I took out her strengths. It's just exciting to beat someone that's playing such amazing tennis, especially after having a tough few months. I feel comfortable with the pace that I'm hitting and with the way I'm moving.”
“Not many people can say that they're No. 1 in the world, ... If I can have it for an hour, for a week, just the fact that you're No. 1 is an amazing feeling.”
“It's been a good year so far. I reached number one in the world at 18.”
“Without playing great, without having a forehand or a serve, you win, ... The bad thing is I can't really hit a big serve and you feel like crap.”
“I felt I could break her any time. I know people are hungry to beat me after I won Wimbledon but I love beating them too.”
“I'll be seeing headlines: Maria can't get past the semis; Maria can't last the third set. I think it was a good match. I didn't come in the best prepared ... without many matches, to be able to play the quality of tennis I was able to play today is a big plus.”
“The first few games were a little bit tough,”
“I haven't really seen much of how she plays. I've heard she's got a big, powerful game.”
“The first match is never easy. You don't know what to expect,”
“The funny thing was, he started clapping for me after that. I think he got scared. Then when I was waving to that side (after winning), he's like.”
“There was a lot of rustiness, ... The first match (after a layoff) is always tough. You practice hard and work on a lot of things, but the actual competition is totally different. I was just trying to get in a groove, get my feet wet.”
“When I had the opportunity to win, I did. But I think I will play better. If I keep improving I definitely feel confident I can win it again.”
“Right now the most important thing to become number one is to be healthy and ready to play. When you are healthy and happy, then you perform your best, so that's very important that I'm healthy.”
“I played a good match, but I guess I was a little tired from yesterday. But I am happy with the way the season is shaping up and I am looking forward to playing her again.”
“Nothing is out of reach for me,”
“The injury gave me some good time to work on my strength and physical form, ... I'm still doing physical therapy and strengthening, and it feels good.”
“There were a lot of ups and downs. There were times when I felt like couldn't make anything.”
“You never know what to expect in the first round. I did enough to win and I'm pretty satisfied.”
“It's hard to get going when your body isn't there and your mind is on your pillow.”
“Reaching the No. 1 ranking has been a lifelong goal of mine, and achieving it here in Los Angeles would have been a dream come true. I am eager to get back to feeling 100 percent healthy and playing as soon as possible.”
“It's good I had a piece of cake [on Tuesday] or I would have been [blown away],”
“I felt pretty good out there, ... I was hitting pretty solid, doing the right things, serving well, putting pressure on her.”
“There were some matches this year where I lost a little concentration and focus and thought I played some stupid points,”
“By using my name in a mobile gaming context, I hope that tennis fans will be able to share my passion, whatever the weather or conditions of play.”
“I learned there's a big difference between juniors and the pros”
“I'm not going to admit it, even if I am.”
“She played like she had nothing to lose, and it's dangerous to play those kind of players. I didn't really feel great out there today, but I did a very good job at the end.”
“This is unbelievable, I don't know how I'm in the final. This is crazy,”
“You can be playing great tennis the past week, you come out and no matter how good you might have been playing, the level of tennis goes down the drain simply because of the wind.”
“It was definitely not easy. We were breaking each other's serves left and right out there. It was a miracle when someone held serve. I just tried to hang in there. It's really tough being down two set points. But I gutted it out in the first point, then had an easy second point.”
“I was very disappointed (at the U.S. Open), and I went out there and I worked really hard.”
“Obviously, I felt a little tired but that's normal after playing four straight weeks. I mean, I'm not gonna feel great. My body's not gonna feel great. That's absolutely normal. But I just have to give it all I had, and I tried. But, you know, at the end of the day, just come up short. That's all right.”
“I was sick, down with flu and an upper respiratory illness.”
“Of course, it's a surprise, but Kim has not played in a while, and it's hard to come back and play your best tennis. I just knew I had to worry about my match.”
“The surface here is very dangerous as you can see from today's match.”
“I think at some point I may be able to dominate, but honesty, I don't think I'm physically there yet and I don't want to go out there and say I am, when I'm really not.”
“I feel like I'm mentally tougher out there,”
“Physically it was very difficult to keep up with Svetlana today. I just wasn't physically ready to run down a lot of balls.”
“I'll be seeing headlines: Maria can't get past the semis; Maria can't finish it in the third set, I think it was a good match. I didn't come in the best prepared ... without many matches, to be able to play the quality of tennis I was able to play today is a big plus.”
“I definitely feel Russian inside, even when I'm in America I feel Russian,”
“She was picking the ball up early. She used my pace and the quickness of the court to her advantage and came up with some very good shots.”
“It was the first day that it's been really hot like this. It's good to get through these kind of matches and I'm looking forward to the next one.”
“'I should have finished it off, but that's not the way it went. But I have to forget about it and get ready for the final.”
“I focused in the third set and won it. I'll need to play better than I played today.”
“I go there to play and would like to play against strong opponents. I always enjoy high-level competition,”
“I think I learn a lot from losses and they make me a lot tougher,”
“I played really well in the first set but then I just got too comfortable,”
“I knew she was a strong player and played well in Beijing but I must admit I just wasn't myself on the court today,”
“But in the future, dominating is something I would like, but I'm still not where I need to be physically or with my game.”
“I’m not the next anyone, I’m the first Maria Sharapova”
“I'm very happy to win the inaugural title,”
“It's the first time for me to throw beans at the media. It's kind of revenge.”
“I grew a few centimeters this year and I'm still getting used to my height,”
“I'll be seeing headlines: Maria can't get past the semis; Maria can't last the third set, I think it was a good match. I didn't come in the best prepared ... without many matches, to be able to play the quality of tennis I was able to play today is a big plus.”
“I’ve been playing against older and stronger competition my whole life. It has made me a better tennis player and able to play against this kind of level despite their strength and experience.”
“I know that in a few years when I do improve little things in my game by one or two percent that I will get better.”
“It was very difficult, I've played Nadia in the last two Grand Slams in the quarter-finals as well and we've had such tough matches and I've been able to pull through so I'm very happy.”
“When I look back, there were chances I could have taken and didn't. In the second set especially, I didn't have my usual fight to the end. It wasn't any particular point, but a little here and there made a big difference.”
“It's going to be a very big test because I haven't beaten her yet. I've done pretty well in the past few weeks. It's not always easy coming back from a Wimbledon win, and now I'm going to play a top seed on a hard court. I'm very much looking forward to it.”
“I think for tennis players it would make our lives a lot easier.”
“That makes it tougher, but that's what it's all about,”
“Pretty sad. I'll keep trying.”
“Do you remember what Richard III said about wearing the crown?”
“She's playing pretty well to beat the No. 1 player. It will be my job to stop her.”
“A couple of points in the third set made a difference to the end result, ... When I was 1-5 down, I played very relaxed and tied the score but at 5-all, she held her serve after she had a couple of lucky points and it turned her way. I should forget this loss because I had two good weeks in Russia and will take positive things from my game today.”
“The first few games were a little bit tough getting used to the conditions, ... I haven't played a lot of matches. Then after a while you can really go after it. I feel a lot stronger in my arm. I move quite well. I don't think I have moved that well in quite a while.”
“It would be great. Of course I was disappointed last year, but I know I'll get the support again this year, and I'm going to get my revenge.”
“The first set was really downhill for me. I don't think there was one positive thing in the first set that I did.”
“You don't want to pull out because it's a Grand Slam, but it's hard when people expect you to win.”
“It would be amazing if I could win here as it's the toughest Grand Slam to win, just because of the traffic.”
“Physically, I have to get a lot better, ... I have to play these three setters and the points are going to go on and on. This is not something that is going to happen overnight. I am only 18 and this is going to take time. My body is still growing and I'm still adjusting to my own body.”
“I just kind of ran out of gas, basically.”
“In the beginning of the match I wanted to dictate from the first point, I think it was very important. In the second set obviously it was very tough, but I was able to finish it off.”
“I love to look elegant and this dress is very light and cool, ... The best thing about tennis is that you can wear cute little dresses and express your individuality.”
“I do not have revenge on my mind, but I don't like losing to the same player twice in a row. Martina played some amazing tennis in Tokyo, but it is a different match tomorrow.”
“I hope to be able to play (the Gold Coast) in 2007, and will be doing everything possible in consultation with my doctors to be healthy enough to play this Australian Open.”
“I think everybody knows that the tennis season is way too long. I mean, it's about 10 and a half months of the year. I think a lot of the times with the scheduling fans don't know sometimes what tournaments are bigger than others. I think there needs to be a better structure on the tour.”
“It feels really great. Honestly I was having a really tough end of the year last year. You know, not a lot of people know about it, but it was very frustrating because tournament after tournament, you know, I'd be working hard and I'd be trying to get back in shape and all of a sudden my injury would bring me down again.”
“I think that's why I play tennis, because of the challenge, because of the competition, ... That's why we love to play tiebreaker in the third set. It makes it more exciting, and the bigger support in the stand, and more fans involved in it. I really enjoyed the competition and took a lot of hard work to make myself No. 1 at 18 years old.”
“It's absolutely amazing, I can't believe I pulled this match out today, there were so many ups and downs, and somehow I found a way to fight, but a lot of credit to Nadia, she played an amazing match,”
“I twisted my ankle early on and I felt it a little bit. I was a little bit distracted but it got better game by game after that,”
“It was tough. I couldn't put two points together. I was tired from my previous match, and now I need some time off.”
“It was so windy today,”
“I hope everything will be all right, though when the tournament starts it may be different, but so far it's all right.”
“I'm playing pretty well, but it is going to get tougher and tougher.”
“I focused in the third set and won it. Obviously I'll need to improve for my next rounds, but I'm pretty sure I'll get better.”
“The WTA Tour and the ATP and the ITF and everyone that's in this whole tennis world needs to come together because I think each and every one of them is trying to make a business in their own little shell. In order to make this game bigger and better, I definitely think they need to come together.”
“I played great tennis this week. It was a tremendous effort for me to be able to play two really tough matches yesterday and still play a high level of tennis today. In the first set it was just one or two balls didn't go my way I guess, and then after that I was physically tired from yesterday.”
“She's physically very healthy, I'm being aggressive when facing her again.”
“I know I didn't win this match fairly,”
“I hope this event will serve as an opportunity to foster a boom in tennis in Korea.”
“I played well today, ... I started off strong but then I made a few mistakes and she capitalized. She's a good player and has a strong return. I just tried to play my game and in the end I got the win.”
“I'm naturally a lefty. I do a lot of things lefty. I write with my right hand but I throw and kick with my left foot and left hand.”
“I think that's why I play tennis, because of the challenge, because of the competition. That's why we love to play tiebreaker in the third set. It makes it more exciting, and the bigger support in the stand, and more fans involved in it. I really enjoyed the competition and took a lot of hard work to make myself No. 1 at 18 years old.”
“I just made it quick. I played very solid and took it to her from the very start.”
“When I'm down or when it's close in a match, I feel like I am still in it. Mentally I'm still really, really tough.”
“I knew I didn't win this match fairly. I don't like such victories,”
“It's so windy today I'm really glad I had a piece of chocolate cake last night or else I would have been blown away out here."
“It's actually shocking. Before I was trying to lay off the whole thing, saying, ‘I'm not worried about it, it's not important.' But you know, once you get there, it's, like, wow!”
“I just felt like I was late and couldn't find my rhythm.”
“I've said this like 30 times. I feel like I'm saying it again. The physical part of my game is very important right now. It's what I'm working on. That's what's been improving. I mean, if you look at me a year ago, I don't think I was at this point physically. It didn't take five days, it didn't take a month. It took a whole year to progress and get better.”
“She's had a really good week here. She's beaten some good players.”
“It's disappointing but no hard feelings, ... I know you can't win everything and you're going to lose sometimes. I'll go home and train now and get ready for the U.S. Open.”
“It was disappointing to lose today, but it won't have any impact on my game in China,”
“I don't think I'm ready for it now,”
“She was picking the ball up very early. She used my pace as well as the quickness of the court to her advantage. She made some great shots even on the defensive side.”
“I also want to play in the Olympics and would love to represent Russia there as well.”
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