Photo: Eisele/Giubilo/ZimmerRoger Federer (SUI)
Andy Murray (GBR)
On competing for a medal over the weekend...
MURRAY: It's great. That was the goal coming into the tournament. It's nice to get the opportunity. If I win one of the next two matches, I'll give myself a shot at the medal. Obviously winning the first one is the most important thing just now. I need to be ready for it, but it's very exciting.
On having the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge watching...
MURRAY: I didn't see them after the match. It's always nice playing in front of royalty. They came a couple times during Wimbledon, as well. Probably dealt with that a bit better than I did the first couple of times. I think it's great for tennis when you can get people like that coming along, it helps raise the profile.
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
On reaching the semifinals and being in contention for a medal...
AZARENKA: I really have to just focus on my next game and the results will take of themselves. It’s really a matter of just trying to stay focused in the tournament. It seems really close, but it’s still far away. Right now I just want to rest a little bit and get my mind back on it.
Bob Bryan (USA)
On their current form...
B. BRYAN: We’re in rhythm. We started this run a couple of weeks ago at Wimbledon. We came up a little short, but we still felt we played well there and we come here with the same attitude of going for the title. We’ll obviously be very disappointed if we don’t get it, but we’ve put ourselves in a position and that’s all you can ever do.
On the chance of winning a first gold medal...
B. BRYAN: That would be awesome. We are very proud of the bronze medal we won in Beijing, that’s the first thing anyone looks at in our trophy case and grabs. To upgrade that to something a little more shiny would be awesome, we’re in position, we want to take one at a time, we gotta win the next match or we are not going to have a shot at it, but it’s been our goal all year.
Serena Williams (USA)
On hitting a left-handed forehand during her match...
SERENA: I have been practicing that shot, I haven’t practiced it in a couple of weeks, sorry months, but I have practiced it. I didn’t expect to hit it, but I wish I had got it better… so maybe I should burn it up and throw it away.
On facing Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals...
SERENA: It does a lot for my confidence, but this is a new match. Victoria has been playing well, she had a solid win. We both are playing well. She is the top seed and number one and on paper she should win, so that makes me be able to relax more. It will be a good time.
Novak Djokovic (SRB)
On the crowd being on Andy Murray's side during their semifinal match...
DJOKOVIC: Well, as I said, it's something that is expected. He's a home favorite, a hero, somebody that carries the tennis in Great Britain. The whole nation will be watching and hoping he can get to the finals and win a medal for his country. This is absolutely normal.
On playing Davis Cup for Serbia helping with the pressure of the Olympics...
DJOKOVIC: It has. Davis Cup and many other big matches that I've played, especially against Rafa and Roger in recent years. I mean, they have been the most dominant players, most recognisable tennis players in last eight or ten years, that's for sure. They're very appreciated and very popular throughout the world, have a lot of fans. I was in these situations before, especially in the Davis Cup, as you mentioned. More you have experiences, more you learn about it, and better you know how to behave and how to deal with the pressure.
Roger Federer (SUI)
On hitting a net cord at match point against John Isner...
FEDERER: I don't remember losing a whole lot like those, but I do remember, first thing that came to my mind, was a Miami finals, against Ljubicic. I won 76 76 76. It was also in the tiebreaker, maybe 8-7. He hit it hard to my backhand and I chipped it over, the match was over and the tournament was over. I also got extremely lucky on that one. I actually did text him to tell him the same thing happened again, I can't believe it.