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It’s been a pretty amazing week in Brisbane and while the fans at Pat Rafter Arena and those watching around the world have been immersed in the on-court brilliance, some of the players have also been doing some exceptional work in the press room. Here’s some of the best.
5 January 2014, by brisbaneinternational.com.au

It’s been a pretty amazing week in Brisbane and while the fans at Pat Rafter Arena and those watching around the world have been immersed in the on-court brilliance, some of the players have also been doing some exceptional work in the press room. Here’s some of the best.

 

Marin Cilic

On serving:

I mean, to simplify.  Throw the ball in the air and hit it. 

  

Maria Sharapova

Well, last year I didn’t play and I went and saw the koalas.  This year I hopefully will play and I won’t see the koalas.  That’s my goal.

I’ve been meaning to play this tournament for a long time.  Poor tournament director, Cam, he doesn’t believe it until I walk out on the court anymore.             

On her team:

We’re all big clowns at the end of the day and have fun what with we do, but we’re very serious and professional.

On whether or not she missed the media during her time out of the game:

Absolutely not.  (Laughter.)  I miss being out there.  That’s the one thing I really missed.

On her rivalry with Serena Williams

Well, I think I got to win a few times in order to call it rivalry.  (Laughter.)

 

Roger Federer

On whether Stefan Edberg will encourage Federer to play more offensively:

Like if I don’t serve and volley he’s going to split up with me? 

 

Serena Williams

On her troublesome ankles:

I thought about it because I have steps in my room.  I thought, Gosh, I’m going to tip over these steps.  I’m going to tape my ankles extra tight for the next four weeks.

On playing in her 40s:

I really hope not.  I pray that I’m not playing.  We’ll see.

On her New Year’s Eve plans:

I’m a very serious player.  I never leave my room during a tournament, so I’m definitely not going out.  True story. 

On forgetting to take her racquets on court:

Yeah, I was just ready to get on this court, ready to play.  I was just ready to get it started.  I don’t know.  I just forget ’em.  Maybe I wasn’t so ready as I thought.

 

Victoria Azarenka

On having a pedicure this year:

I mean, I will definitely, but not at the same place.  And very careful, you know.  Just some things you can’t control, but you definitely learn from them. If you make this mistake once, it’s shame on that.  But if you do it twice, it’s shame on you. 

On her rivalry with Serena Williams

You know, you learn things about yourself and what you need to improve, because when somebody is taking you to the limit, you really have a good look of what you have to do better to rise up.

On playing top players early in the season:

No, I don’t think it’s ever too early.  I always want to play against the best players every week.  That’s what I’m here for, to go every day and try to beat the best.  If you want to win big titles and big tournaments you got to play against the best players, so I feel great about having that challenge every time I step on the court. If there is no challenge it seems boring and un-motivating.