Wordplay: Serena Has Had Enough Crip Walk Talk

By Chris Oddo

(August 26, 2012) -- We heard from defending champs, former champs and retiring champs on Saturday from New York, and while we'll probably learn a lot more about the state of their games when play begins on Monday at the 2012 US Open, it doesn't mean that their wasn't a lot of highly entertaining banter and -- as always -- some headline-generating quotes from the likes of Serena Williams and Roger Federer.

Here's a look at what was said, and when necessary, this tennis writer's interpretation of said words:

"I don't know. I read zero press. That's always been my policy since I was 17. So I don't really know what was made too much or what was too little. But I think winning the Olympics was awesome for me and for the USA. I'm still kind of in the Olympic moment. I loved the Olympics. I was just so proud when we finally had that final tally of gold medals, and I had contributed two, so it was awesome." -- Serena Williams, reacting to a question about her Crip Walk Dance at Wimbledon. Credit Serena for steering the discussion to what really mattered about her visit to the Olympic Village: The fact that she came, she saw and she conquered to the tune of two Olympic gold medals. Still, in the wake of her most patriotic accomplishments, many are still stuck on her two-second celebration dance. For those who didn't see the dance or didn't read the myriad opinion pieces written in the dances' aftermath, simply Google "Serena Crip Walk Dance" to get yourselves up to speed.

Wordplay's Take: As much sense that it makes to milk this issue and beat a dead horse to sell more papers, generate more hits and thusly maximize advertising revenue, can't we just call that dead horse dead and move on? The woman did a dance after winning the Olympics. It was over and done with in two seconds. It was an expression of giddy joy and a moment shared with her sister and family. She didn't conduct a drive-by shooting that killed umpteen innocent people. Next subject please...

Regrettably (particularly for a certain reporter who couldn't get enough Crip Walk Talk) the question came up again about five minutes later and although Serena looked like she might want to stuff a tennis ball down the reporter's throat for not letting it go, she eventually calmed down enough to vehemently state "First of all it was just a dance...second, why are you asking me that?" and finally (and sensibly) "I'm done with that question."

So are we, I hope.

"I'm happy I'm in men's tennis, not needing to face her." -- Novak Djokovic when asked what goes through his mind when he watches Serena play.

Wordplay's Take: I honestly think Djokovic would have less trouble with Serena that he's been having with Federer lately, but Serena could make it tough on even the best returners...

"I'm sure she'll be remembered as one of the best players to play over the last 15, 20 years, and also one of the best people." -- Andy Murray on Kim Clijsters, who will retire after this year's event.

"Why not?" -- Maria Sharapova when asked if she could see herself retiring at age 29 like Kim Clijsters is doing this year.

***This was one of many retirement questions posed on Saturday. The Williams sisters were asked to contemplate continuing their careers after the other sister had retired and neither claimed to have the stomach for the task.***

"If it was that soon, I would have to go on. But if it was a little later maybe it would be together," said Serena when asked what she would do if Venus retired in the near future."If she's not playing I'd just be so sad and demoralized, I wouldn't be able to continue playing. Oh, God. Maybe we will retire together. Hopefully she feels the same way," was Venus's answer to the same question.

Wordplay's Take: It sounds to me like the Williams Sisters are going to retire together at some point down the road, and when they do, won't that be a sweet/ bittersweet farewell tour? I see a Grand Slam or Olympic doubles title match as a fitting finale.

"Many people thought he was going to break down way earlier. He has played four years longer, I think, than people already expected. People thought four years ago the end is very near--none of that." -- Roger Federer, stating his belief that talks of Rafa's injury-related demise have been and will continue to be premature for some time.

"Not worse--I'm back to World No. 1." -- Roger Federer when asked by a reporter if he thought that being married and having twins has made him a better player.

(Photo Credit: Nick Laham/ Getty)