Whether they won or lost, players told the media exactly how they felt on a variety of on and off court questions during the sixth day of the Australian Open. Here’s a quick sampling of their best, candid, and most eyebrow raising comments.
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Q. You said something interesting earlier about the pressure you felt when you were younger in Belarus was more than, you know, playing a Grand Slam and stuff like that. Can you give a little bit more insight into that? Like what did that pressure feel like, look like? A specific example?
- Victoria Azarenka, “Well, first pressure is that if you don't win some tournaments you have absolutely no opportunity to go to any other. If you're not the best, you don't get, you know, sponsored at all. So that was pretty rough. I was an ITF -- I remember this day. It still affects me every time. I was traveling for nine weeks, and, you know, in the juniors you play one or two matches a day. You can be -- you can play a certain time. If you skip lunch, you don't get to eat. I had no money. I didn't get to eat. So that was pressure, you know, to survive. That was survival, really. So, you know, pressure right now is go out there and, you know, face a big opponent? Okay. But when you're like hungry and you've got to go play and you have absolutely nothing, that's big pressure.”
Q. What will you remember most from this Australian Open?
- Naomi Osaka (after losing to Victoria Azarenka) “I guess this match, because it's like I'm learning. Honestly I'm a bit glad she beat me like this because I have like so much more to learn and I can take this as a good experience.”
Q. Do you think turning 30 on the tour these days is when it really happens for a lot of players? Are you feeling that yourself?
- John Isner, 'No. I mean, I wouldn't say it's when it happens, but it's not so much a downfall when you turn 30. Feliciano is 35 and he's top 20 in the world. My next opponent is 34 and 7 in the world or whatever. A lot of guys are doing very well at 30 and into their mid-30s. It's not so much a death sentence as it used to be, I guess, in the '90s.”
Q. How is your relationship with Nick Kyrgios these days after the incident several months ago? Do you get along now? Are you past that?
- Stan Wawrinka, “We play exhibition in IPTL together in same team. Was okay. Nothing special. Here I didn't see him basically. I watch him play sometimes if it's a good match to watch. But that's it. We didn't see each other. We didn't talk together, so nothing special.”
Q. Federer made some comments about you missing out on the top 10 the last couple years. Does that motivate you or bother you?
- Bernard Tomic, “Yeah, well, he has his predictions. I think he's also far away from Djokovic as well if he wants to say that. If he believes I'm very far away from the top 10, I also believe my prediction that he's nowhere near Novak's tennis right now. It also motivates me. I'm working for that. When I'm playing well, I'm a top-eight player in the world. My ranking has to get there. I'm going to work every day this year getting to the top 10. It's not just getting to the top 10. I'm going to get there. It's about staying there for a while. It's about being consistent.”
Q. Do you think the crowd is on your side at this tournament considering your Australian roots?
- Johanna Konta “I mean, I have been amazed with how much supportive I've gotten, but I don't know if that's a British contingent here or if that's from my Australian roots. I don't know. I'm just very grateful for all the people that do come out. Whether they are supporting me or the player I'm playing against, it's always good to have a lot of people around. It brings good energy.”
Q. Seemed like every part of your game was working perfectly tonight. How did you feel on court and how did you feel about the match?
- Zhang Shuai (after reaching the fourth round of a major for the first time in her career) “I just want to show the best of Zhang Shuai in this match. Before the match I think this is in my life maybe last match. I'm try to make me do my best in the match. I want to try my best. I want to show the best of Zhang Shuai. I think I did a great job today, yeah.”