By Chris Oddo | Sunday, January 18, 2015

 

Who said what in the pre-Australian Open press conferences? Find out here.

Photo Source: Mark Peterson/Corleve

The stars of the game have made their rounds, passed out their chocolates to media, and chatted up the conference room about everything from their chances of winning the tournament to the speed of the courts to how Serena jumped on her hitting partner’s back and broke it.

Pick 4: Australian Open Day 1 Preview

Let’s go over the highlights and see what we missed:

The Courts are faster in Melbourne this year

Both Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova expressed this belief. Says Djokovic: “I thought already last year that they were a bit faster from the previous years. That was my subjective feeling. Talked to some other players. They confirmed that feeling, as well, on the court.”

So, who will benefit? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Ontario resident Milos Raonic likes the Australian heat

Most players dread the searing-hot Australian summer, but Milos Raonic says it’s nice to get back to summer after being in Canada in winter time. “Most players are coming from a pretty cold climate,” he says. “It's nice to be here in the warmth.”

Despite bad back, Aussie hopeful Nick Kyrgios ready to go full bore

Nick Kyrgios is still dealing with the back issues that put a damper on his off-season training and played a role in his early loss at Sydney, but the rising star says it won’t hold him back in Melbourne. “Sometimes you can't avoid injuries,” he said. “It's just part of the game. I've done everything I can with my physios, my training. Been monitoring training. I'm think that I'm confident I can still make a pretty big impact.”

Bouchard wants to start from zero

Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard had a brilliant 2014, reaching the Wimbledon final as well as putting up semifinal results in Australia and Roland Garros. But she wants to put her past success out of her mind and just focus on the task at hand. “I try to see it as just a new year,” she said. “I'm not concerned about defending points from last year. To me it's 2015. I start at zero and try to do as well as I can. My past results don't mean anything when I'm going to walk out on the court tomorrow. I still have to fight and try to play as well as I can. I have great memories from last year, but it doesn't really mean anything to me this year.”

Sounds like a good plan.

Petra Kvitova is really happy with her fitness coach, Alex Stober

The two-time Wimbledon champion hired Li Na’s former fitness coach, and Kvitova hopes that the new relationship will help her game blossom even further. “I'm very happy that I have a new fitness coach and physiotherapist in the same person,” said Kvitova. “It's Alex [Stober]. I'm just really glad that he's part of my team. It's something really special. I know that he's experienced so well. He knew exactly what we have to do, so that's great. I'm just glad that we did everything what we could in the off-season to prepare myself for the new season. I tried to be a little bit quicker, fitter, to be in the shots on the time. Normal routine, practicing, practicing, practicing.”

Grigor Dimitrov loves the new Margaret Court Arena

Margaret Court Arena’s facelift is being embraced by players and fans alike and Grigor Dimitrov is one of its biggest supporters: “The Margaret Court Arena, it's one of the best arenas I've actually played on in a really long time,” he said. “It's a tremendous experience to get out there and practice on that court. I even hit when the roof was on. When they opened it, it was amazing. Well done for the tournament, the way they've done it. It's just amazing.”

Serena Williams has been doing a lot of running, but she doesn’t like it

Here’s what she had to say about that: “I absolutely hate running, but I do it because I hate the way I look if I don't run.” Serena may be a 17-time Grand Slam champion, but when it comes to running, she's no Caro.

Roger Federer is more relaxed in Australia this year

The Swiss maestro had a lot on his plate last January, with new racquet, new coach and back issues still looming large in the rearview. This time around, Federer says he’s in a great place and confident. “Yeah, clearly things are more calm this year, I guess, coming in,” he said. “Last year, you know, having the new racquet, having gotten through the back issues, having gone through the off-season, you know, feeling good but still not quite sure because I needed matches to see how it was going to cope. I came here also with Stefan Edberg helping me out. You know, there was many changes that took place in the six months leading into, I guess, the Australian Open, whereas this time around I've played so well. Also was able to win Brisbane last week. Makes me feel more secure, I guess, this year coming into the Aussie Open.”

Murray says it’s the balls

Why does Andy Murray like playing in Australia? It’s the balls, he says. “I do like the conditions here,” says Murray. “I mean, obviously hard courts is the surface I feel very comfortable on. I like the balls they use here. A little bit slower than the ones at the US Open, and I like that.”

Nadal still not overly confident about his back issues

The 14-time Grand Slam champion says he really doesn’t know how his back will hold up against the rigors of a grueling Grand Slam. It’s still an unknown for him. “It Is something that I not 100% confident yet,” he said. “If you talk about my knees, I say, 'Okay, can happen,' but I am confident about my knees because they are working very well. But my back, I don't have enough time having good feelings to say I am 100% perfect, no? I need to take care about this for the moment. But hopefully will be fine.”