By Chris Oddo

Maria Sharapova signs autographs at the Olympics

(July 29, 2012) -- With the Olympics on the mind of everybody right now, this week's Wordplay will feature feature dispatches from players and journalists on the opening weekend in London.

"Today, it was one of best moment in my life, I have to say." -- Steve Darcis, after recording the upset of the tournament on day 1, a 6-4, 6-4 shocker over sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych.

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"It's bananas, and I love it." -- Serena Williams on the amped-up Centre Court atmosphere, which is decidedly different from the typical Wimbledon look and feel. Serena also had a few words of praise for Michelle Obama, who spent some time in Serena's player box on Saturday. "I also loved her dress. She's always looking good," Williams said of the first lady.

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I don't know a whole lot about Anastasia Pivovarova, but the more I find out the more I like. The woman reads classic Russian lit and kills yogurt? Nice!

Spend the evening reading Turgenev and killing my favorite yogurt :)
— Anastasia Pivovarova (@A_Pivovarova) July 25, 2012

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"I don't think Olympic only important for Chinese people, otherwise we call China Open, not Olympics anymore." -- Na Li has had difficulty winning matches of late--the tenth seed lost to Daniela Hantuchova in the first round of women's singles action yesterday -- but she's always there when you need a funny quote. This particular gem was in response to journalists asking her what it was like playing for a country that likes the Olympics so much. I love the snappy answer.

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This is just classic. That is all...

This is how the Canadians have marked their territory in the athletes' village: twitter.com/SonaliShah/sta…
— Sonali Shah (@SonaliShah) July 24, 2012

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"You know, we lost. We won't get another chance to do it. That's what hurts the most, I think." -- Jamie Murray, feeling the sting of losing a first-rounder in men's doubles with his brother Andy by his side. The Murray's lost to Alexander Peya and Jurgen Melzer 5-7, 7-6, 7-5.

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Aw, poor Milos. Only 6'5 and can serve like 10,000 MPH...

I’m pretty tall but here in the Olympic Village, with all the athletes that are taller than me, I feel pretty short/average!
— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) July 25, 2012

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"It's a great feeling knowing I'm here, because there were moments in the last year and a half I definitely thought about retiring again, not thinking I would even get to the Olympics," she said. "I'm happy I stuck with it and kept working hard. -- Kim Clijsters on her last go-round at the Olympic games, which will also be her last time playing on Wimbledon's magic carpet. Does she have a shot at the title?

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"People used to hate the Russians, and now they're rooting for them." -- Pat O'brien, making not so much sense, as he commented on day 2 action from his post as Bravo's master of television ceremonies. I'm not sure what hate he is referring to, but my guess is that he's going back to the Napoleonic Era and taking the French perspective. But your guess is as good as mine.

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Is this code for "Rory's at the pub with his blokes--AGAIN!?"

Left all alone in the house tonight.. Guess it will be 'two and a half men' on tv, and then early night..
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) July 24, 2012