Best Quotes from the Australian Open

The tennis wasn't the only one speaking volumes this year at the Australian Open; whether they were making us believe, think or just plain laugh, the players certainly made themselves heard at their post-match press conferences. Below are some of the best quotes of the fortnight, in no particular order - enjoy!
 
"I've proven it before. I've done it before. I don't think you can ever count me out. No matter how confident or not, no matter where my ranking is, I'm one of the toughest competitors out there. I never leave the court without giving 100% and that's why I gain respect from my fans and from the tennis audience. This is what I love to do."
- Maria Sharapova, at her pre-Australian Open press conference, on her chances of winning the tournament.

"Never. Don't dream about it."
- Justine Henin on whether or not she would ever demonstrate some hip-hop moves after one of her matches. The world No.1 has started taking lessons once a week from her fitness coach for fun and relaxation.

"I've always enjoyed a challenge, and it's been a huge challenge to come back after having a baby. It's been a lot of fun to try and see what I can accomplish now, being older and having my body go through a little bit of a metamorphosis. But it's been a lot of fun, because it's been so long since I've been on my way up and trying to improve and trying to go up the rankings. I missed playing, I miss the daily goal of having something to strive for. Obviously I'll be having some setbacks and didn't play well here, but overall I'm still having fun, so why not?"
- Lindsay Davenport reflects on her comeback after a second round loss to Maria Sharapova.

"Basically the day session went longer, and the tournament asked if Sania and I would consider playing at Vodafone or playing tomorrow. Both of us didn't want to for reasons that we felt like our match was important. We also felt like we wanted the schedule to go as planned, and that we are very good players and wanted to play. Also for the fact that we were in doubles and Sania is also in mixed. So that makes it very difficult for us too. The tournament definitely listened to us and gave us the opportunity to go out there and play some great women's tennis. I think we're both happy with the result of what the tournament chose, and we played some good tennis for the crowd."
- Venus Williams on the scheduling controversy from the middle weekend, where matches on Rod Laver Arena went later than planned due to rain and her match with Sania Mirza went on according to the original order of play.

"After winning all four Grand Slams, I kind of retired. I felt like it's time to move on and focus on my singles."
- Daniela Hantuchova on why she wasn't in the mixed doubles draw. In 2005, the Slovak became the second woman in the Open Era, after Martina Navratilova, to complete the career Grand Slam in the event.

"In my eyes I'm representing my country all the time. I'm from India. Everyone knows I'm from India. I'm playing for my country. Yes, it's an individual sport and everything, but I think people associate us by our country. It does change a little bit when you have India written behind you and they say advantage India instead of advantage Mirza. And for me, personally it's a very proud feeling to play for my country. It's a very proud feeling when they say advantage India. I love it."
- Sania Mirza on playing for her country.

"Since I was young girl, I've dreamt of playing matches like that. It was amazing. The crowd, the feeling, it was just so bizarre. I could feel the whole crowd. I felt Rod Laver almost vibrating because the crowd was so loud. It was awesome."
- Casey Dellacqua on her third round match against Amélie Mauresmo, which she won in three sets in front of a packed night crowd.

"The Australian Open belongs in Australia. I can't imagine it being anywhere else. I love coming here and listening to the accent. I was always watching tennis and wanting to go to Australia and play the Australian Open. When I'm playing my video game, I'm playing in Australia. It belongs here."
- Serena Williams on speculation that the Australian Open may rotate around the Asia-Pacific in the years to come.

"On the ATP tour, you mean? She goes more than 200kph so she's up there with the guys. She has one of the best serves in women's tennis, no doubt about that. Her and her sister. I can only give her compliments. But now if I start giving her compliments, I can keep going all day, so I have to stop."
- Jelena Jankovic on Serena Williams' serve, prior to facing her in the quarters.

"Hey, I didn't win. I would have liked it to be different. But, unfortunately, I don't have a time machine, so I can't reverse this loss. If any of you have one, please let me know."
- Venus Williams, speaking to the press, after a quarterfinal loss to Ana Ivanovic.

"I just love to have fun. I'm happy to live. Life is short and you have to enjoy it. I joke with every girl and am friendly with everybody. If you get into 'This girl said this, that one said that,' I'm over it. If they want say something they come to my face and say it to me. I do the same with them. I just go straight to them and I talk. That way you don't have problems with anybody."
- Svetlana Kuznetsova on other players referring to her as the biggest character in the locker room.

"Of course it's fair. We were waiting for the men to finish their five sets. God. We should get paid more for waiting around all day long."
- Maria Sharapova after being asked about the fairness of equal prize money.

"She's my best friend, too. It's so important to have her on the road with me. It has been a few years now. If she wasn't with me it would be much harder. It's hard enough already being away from the rest of my family. So I always have someone to talk to, not only in my mother language but also to ask for advice. And who can give you more honest advice than your mom? She's also my biggest supporter. She never really gets upset with me. It's great because I feel like she understands me."
- Ana Ivanovic on her mother, Dragana.