Wimbledon diary: Foursome face the media

Andy Murray

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With Rafa’s press conference to announce his withdrawal from the Championships held at 7pm on Friday night, two Rafa admirers who also happen to be the top two men’s seeds were in action on Saturday in the media centre, plus Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Roger Federer was ever the articulate and gracious statesman. Decked out in his trademark RF clothing, he talked about what it was like to be attempting to beat Pete Sampras’ (and Tiger Woods’) records in the majors. He said his mindset in Paris was about winning that tournament, not about equaling them, and with some of the weight off his shoulders following his victory in France he said he’s been practicing hard and feels ready to go.

‘I’m better equipped to win a Grand Slam this year than I was last year’ – Murray

The Swiss said he is disappointed that Rafa had to withdraw. “I love to play him. He’s my main rival… it must have been a difficult decision for him to make,” the world No.2 said. Now, though, it’s all about “the first round and the first point” and “trying to regain my Wimbledon crown. It would be a dream come true”.

Andy Murray arrived at his conference in his new Fred Perry clothing. Muzza looked a bit more disheveled than when we last saw him last Monday for his kit launch though. Maybe he’s still getting used to the collar….

His dress didn’t impair his press conference performance, however. He was quietly confident, refusing to be drawn into a question about what might happen to British tennis if he manages the unimaginable and lifts the Challenge Trophy in two weeks’ time. He trotted out the now much practised line of: “I am better equipped to win a Grand Slam this year than I was last year.”

He also mentioned a couple of times that although he’s chasing his first slam he’ll have to play his best tennis to do it. “Slams don’t come easily… I understand how big a challenge it is.”

He’s hoping that the team around him will be able to stop him getting distracted by the expectation and as a sportsman he recognises that tennis is no different to football and basketball where playing at home brings huge advantages. “You’ve got 15,000 people behind you,” not to mention the many millions of others who will no doubt be cheering him from their sofas.

So to the ladies. Serena arrived wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “STRONG is the new beautiful”, clutching a rather glitzy bag and was in a bit of a pesky mood.

The last time I sat in this press centre was after the Centre Court Celebration when Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi eulogised about what a great asset the new roof will be.

So I wanted to know what she made of the roof on Centre Court but she was coy as ever, saying she only ever went to Centre when her match was scheduled.

So the questions got a bit more ridiculous and she did discuss her prolific Tweeting, rapped off a quick analysis of her sister’s game (amazing serve, and amazing return and she’s really fast, not to mention her long arms) whereas Serena thinks her game is more gritty and, of course, being shorter than her sibling she doesn’t have the same reach, but she reckoned they make a great doubles team.

Like the guys, however, she was sad that Rafa withdrew, as she’s also a great fan. So with the questions answered and her pronouncement that “sex sells” in response to a question about her views on former player Michael Stich’s comments that the women overplay their sex appeal, the number two seed trotted off in her skin-tight, three-quarter-length white trousers.

MaSha was pretty focused. She didn’t want to talk about Stich’s comments about some of the issues he sees in the women’s game. She wanted to talk about her tennis and her “job”. After a long lay-off with that shoulder injury, she’s counting her blessings being here this year.

Interesting that she didn’t know how the seedings worked here, as she was the main beneficiary of the Wimbledon formula of taking into account grass-court performance as well as current ranking. So she’s seeded 24, despite her world ranking of 59.

MaSha looked workmanlike in her baseball hat and black Nike hoodie, but it’s easy to see how much the women’s game needs her with her articulate no nonsense assessment of the game.

Such a shame about Rafa, but with all the talking nearly over and plenty of stories waiting to unfold, the 123rd Championships we’re sure will deliver another fortnight of memorable tennis.

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Stephen R Jun 20, 10:41 PM

I Hope Maria Sharapova Has A Really Good Showing Here! + Possibly Even Win, Then She Can Go Into The US Open With “Expectations” lol . Good Luck Masha! xx

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