The Western & Southern Open begins on Saturday within the new bubble setting in Flushing Meadows, and the loaded participant fields are desirous to get began after being on hiatus for practically six months. Earlier than predominant draw matches get underway on Saturday, the most important names within the sport had been in press offering some quotable moments.
Right here’s a roundup of what was mentioned within the digital press room:
Serena Williams, on managing dangers:
“I didn’t need to be within the lodge as a result of I’ve lung points, so it felt like its as really an enormous danger for me personally. At my home I can management extra. As a lot as I need to be right here, it’s nice, however I’ve real well being points that I simply actually wanted to place my thoughts at relaxation to even have the ability to carry out in New York”
Serena on her strategy to the 2019 US Open ultimate. (Getty)
Daniil Medvedev, on the well-known New York crowds:
“It is going to be actually unhappy with out the New York crowd, as a result of I feel on the finish what occurred is that this yr they’d be loads for me, I hope.”
Coco Gauff, on the bubble leisure:
“On web site they’ve plenty of outside video games like basketball, pool, soccer, paddle tennis, bean bag. They’ve a cool nine-hole mini golf course. On the lodge they’ve PS4’s, Ping-Pong, typical arcade video games they usually even have karaoke. I do not suppose that is been an enormous hit as a result of I do not suppose anyone needs to go up and sing in entrance of everyone on the match.”
Andy Murray, on choosing the lodge over a non-public home:
“It is simply the prices had been astronomical, so I went for the bubble. It is good. They’ve carried out a extremely good job on the lodge. They have video games and arcades and issues like that, which I take pleasure in. Nonetheless a bit of a kid in that respect.”
Naomi Osaka, on internet hosting her Instagram Q&A’s throughout quarantine:
“I am not likely a conversing sort. It was actually exhausting for me to provide you with these questions within the first place, so I am unsure the way you guys are in a position to do it day-after-day. Don’t fret about your job as a result of I am not coming for it.”
Novak Djokovic, on his non-public home:
“[The cleaner] can are available solely when after we aren’t there. After we are there, nobody can are available. We’re completely alone. We’re getting on. We’re adults. It is good being collectively. We’re taking part in playing cards and video games. Goran [Ivanisevic] hardly ever wins, however which may change subsequent week.”
Djokovic awaits Tommy Paul or a qualifer within the second spherical. (Western & Southern Open)
Stefanos Tsitsipas, on what’s good about this yr:
“What’s good in regards to the new US Open is it’s going to be within the file books. It has by no means occurred earlier than, I assume. You’re a part of historical past I suppose. That’s what makes it completely different.”
Sofia Kenin, on if she’s adorning her lodge room:
“No, I simply order meals and I sit again and chill out.”
Madison Keys, on defending her title:
“It is positively unusual to be defending my Cincinnati title not on Cincinnati courts, which hopefully we do not ever have to fret about once more. I feel the most important factor is it is unusual preparing for a match that is not the US Open on the US Open. That is been somewhat bit bizarre for my mind to attempt to determine.”
Dominic Thiem, on the extent of security:
“Actually, I am zero % nervous or scared about touring right here. I feel we’re safer than anyplace else on the entire planet on this complete bubble right here.”
Karolina Pliskova, on what she missed most:
“I miss every little thing about tournaments. I miss to be in tournaments, miss to be in my lodge room. Truly, I like this life. For me was on one facet I mentioned, OK, I had nice time to be with my household, nice time to be at dwelling, however I used to be identical to, it was sufficient. So I used to be simply able to fly someplace, irrespective of the place, simply to play some match.”
