Wimbledon - View from the courts: Day four

Eurosport - Thu, 25 Jun 21:02:00 2009

Reaction from the key protagonists on a busy day of second-round action at Wimbledon.

TENNIS Generic view of Wimbledon 2009 - 0

Svetlana Kuznetsova reveals the motivation behind her speedy second round win: "I was very excited they put me first actually, because I wanted to try to finish quickly. I want to go shopping and see London. Not tourism, though, because you get tired. I need just two, three hours to spend some cash. I just like to buy clothes, to buy things. This year I've been so terrible. I was maybe too focused on my tennis work then I didn't buy any presents for anybody."

Lleyton Hewitt celebrates his straight sets win over Juan Martin Del Porto on Centre Court: "I haven't beaten a top five player for a long time. I was really up for it today. When you have played a final on Centre Court you should be able to handle the pressure but I knew that Juan Martin is a helluva player. I executed perfectly, hit the ball great, served unbelievable for most of the match. I took it to him right from the start. I competed as well as I've ever competed ... (it was the best I've played) probably since 2005."

Ana Ivanovic believes she has rediscovered her love of tennis after a straight sets win over Italy's Sara Errani: "I'm very happy on the court at the moment. I think that's what made the big difference because there was a time when I was not really happy being out there. I went a little bit off the track. Up until last year my career was always going up and my rankings were always improving. Then once I got to the top position, I had some setbacks. It was a little bit hard for me to accept it. I just thought it's always going to be getting better and better but it's not always the case. You learn how to accept some losses. It makes you stronger and makes you appreciate wins even more."

Juan Martin Del Potro is happy for Hewitt despite being beaten by the former champion: "He's one of my idols. I said to him 'You're in very good shape again, so I'm happy for you and good luck'."

Venus Williams warns her rivals not to read anything into her heavily strapped knee: "Support...I felt really comfortable in the strap it was really nice. I really hate tape, like hate. I just needed it this time. So since it was Wimbledon, I taped."

Andy Roddick is not concerned by his quiet progress through the men's draw: "This ain't Candy Land. We can't really make fantasy worlds up. You just kind of deal with it and move on."

Ernests Gulbis was not worried about playing in front of a partisan home crowd: "I played once in Macedonia. They were like showing fingers and laughing so I think here it's easy."

Pakistan's leading player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi speaks about not being able to play tennis in his home country: "Pakistan is a sports-loving country and unfortunately we have these extremists who just want to create chaos and havoc. It's hurting Pakistan. The Davis Cup is the only international tennis event we have at home where Pakistanis can get to see me play."

Ball girl Chloe Chambers on playing on court number one with Tommy Haas: When I got home my mum said, 'I saw you on TV'. People all around the world have been calling."

Eurosport

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  1. I like Delpo very much, since I watched him for the­ first time. His Achilles heel is his ­ "overdose" of respect towards so called­ heroes and legends ON the court. It is nothing to do­ with his youth, but with his mental strength and yes,­ he is young and he has all the time in front him to­ work on it.

    From siskra83, on Fri 26 Jun 7:50AM
  2. Delpo is only 20, he's already achieved a lot and­ he has a great future.

    From Jimmy, on Fri 26 Jun 6:47AM
  3. Generous comment from Delpo. You win some, you lose­ some. Today he lost but his attitude is the right one­ IMO. What's done is done and the best know how to­ accept defeat and move on. The courts at Flushing­ Meadows should suit his game down to the ground I­ think.

    From rhymes450, on Thu 25 Jun 10:54PM
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