By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 16, 2024
The top players at the Australian Open are dishing on all kinds of subjects in the press room. Enjoy our top 10 quotes from the second round.
Photo Source: Fred Lee/Getty
Before we close the books on the second round of the Australian Open, let's circle back for the top 11 quotes from the last two days...

What to Watch on Day 6 of the Australian Open
“I feel like it's really the least I can do. Obviously Southern California has been my home forever. I spent a lot of time, I still spend a lot of time in L.A., but I lived in L.A. for quite a while. I have friends impacted. Family not so much. I had some family have to evacuate. The house that my brothers grew up in burnt down. Obviously they're not living there anymore. I mean, a lot of people are affected by it. I feel like if you're in a place to help, then you should.” – Taylor Fritz on why he donated his first-round prize money of $132,000 to relief efforts.
“Anyone who bought a ticket to come out here and heckle me, it's all going toward the Danielle Collins Fund.” – American Danielle Collins sticks it to the haters during - and after - her second-round win over Destanee Aiava.
“Either I run or she runs, so better that she runs.” – Ons Jabeur, breaking down the run of play of her second-round win over Camila Osorio.
“This sport has always been giving me so much in my life, an opportunity to play at the Grand Slams. I try not to take it for granted after great achievements that I'm very proud of. Of course, Grand Slam matches and Grand Slam wins are what counts the most in our sport. Of course, I'm very thrilled with that.” – Novak Djokovic after eclipsing the all-time record for most Grand Slam singles matches played, all-time.
“I used to fear getting older and being in this stage of my career. But, I don't know, starting this year I feel really excited because I think that my best still could be in front of me. Judging from today, it gives me a lot of confidence to say that.” – Ajla Tomljanovic, taking positives from a trip to the second round that ended with a close contest with 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider.
“I can finish now. I think I have done what I want in a way. If I do more, it's bonus. I'm happy. As I always say from day one, for me the most important is the health. It's just a part of my life. It's very nice, beautiful. Tennis give me everything, you know, I can even imagine, so I am already blessed. The rest is bonus.” – Gael Monfils, on if there is anything else he feels he needs to achieve before the end of his career.
“There's like a lot of trends. There's like this pig online, his name is Merlin. He knows how to, like, press buttons so he can talk. It's pretty funny. He's a pretty sassy pig. I will miss Merlin the most.” – 20-year-old Coco Gauff, on what she’ll miss most if TikTock is banned in the U.S.
“I think for me, what I changed, I think I just had to believe in myself a lot more. To me, after the first set, I told myself, like, Okay, you're kind of on your way out, but you're going to try to put your foot in the door.” – Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka on how she engineered her comeback win over Karolina Muchova on Day 5.
“I will not show up with my game preparation right now. It will be secret. With Novak, you never know. He's one -- not one of the best. He's the best. You never know with this guy. I try to play my game. We will see what's gonna happen. Really he's the best.” – Czech Tomas Machac looks ahead to the opportunity of a lifetime, against Novak Djokovic in the third round.
“So you want to know where my power come from? There is no secret. Just good genetics. I'm so grateful for that, from my family.” – Aryna Sabalenka, trying to explain her power to mere mortals.
“I just hope that I could be kind of maybe that person for someone else one day to let them know that they're going to be okay and that they can still achieve all the things they want to achieve and that, yes, it's a process and it can be a long journey for many, but there is like a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I know in some cases there's not a light at the end of the tunnel, but knowing that you are going to be okay and that your family is going to be okay and people around you, you know, just get to spend the best time with you for whatever you have left as well because I know that sometimes you don't make it through.
“So I feel like I'm in a very privileged position to be making it through. So I just want to offer support to others who may need it.” – Gabriela Dabrowski opens up on what her mission is after having revealed that she received a breast cancer diagnosis last April and continuing to play through treatment.