Q. You just finished a practice. How are you feeling? NA LI: Feeling? Feeling good. More quiet in here because many players left already. You know, first time to be the final, of course exciting.

But I didn’t have the experience be in final, so I don’t know.

Q. Is it a lot of fun? Are you enjoying the moment or getting very nervous?

NA LI: I enjoy it, yeah. Read more »

An interview with Svetlana Kuznetsova after losing to Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 1-6, 16-14 in the longest (4 hours 44 minutes) grand slam women’s singles match ever played. Kuznetsova had energy to tweet about it: “hey guys thank u for watching and all the support!i m still able to type u a message and to take positive out of this match today! yeah it hurts but ….what eva doesent kill you….. will do better for u))))”.
Q. Did you try to beat the record of Mahut and Isner?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I tried, but apparently didn’t work. She finish it earlier than I thought.

Q. What do you remember of the six match points that you had? Did you think some of them you could have made it?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I don’t remember any. I mean, I think she played good on match points. I don’t think I had easy ball any time, she was serving it all the time. It’s hard to say. The match could go either way so many times. I mean, I think it just was really a day of Francesca. We both fighted so hard the whole match, and the important moments she just played better. Read more »

Interview with Justine Henin after losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-4, 7-6 (10) in the third round of the Australian Open.

Q. A bit of a disappointing result. What was the difference between the two of you?

JUSTINE HENIN: Well, of course it’s disappointing to lose like this. She is just been better than me, especially in the important moments. I got some opportunities in the second set to come back, but I never really took the lead in this match. I was really too far. Read more »

Interview with Venus Williams after retiring from her third-round match against Germany’s Andrea Petkovic at Australian Open. This is the first time in her career that Venus Williams retires from a match.

Q. What happened?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Um, I just obviously couldn’t play. I mean, just couldn’t move. Just too painful.

Q. We saw how debilitating it was two days ago when it happened. How has the last 24, 48 hours gone for you? Take us through that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, the last 48 hours I did as much pain management and recovery that I could. I just hit some balls at 6:00 just kind of standing still. Just kind of warming up standing still and trying to give my best for the match. Read more »

Interview with Maria Sharapova after her third round victory 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 against German Julia Goerges at Australian Open.

Q. Can I ask you your thoughts on the court when you were hitting up obviously and that delay happened and it looked to be a bubble and it was fairly comical. What were your thoughts?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Maybe it was comical to you. Wasn’t really comical to us. We warmed up and had to sit and wait for a while. I was the first one to notice it because I went to the umpire for the coin toss and I noticed there was something under my left shoe. I know I have a lot of foam in the heel but I thought they added some padding or something in there. All of a sudden I looked down and there was a pretty big bubble there. I mentioned it to the umpire and she said she would make a call.

Read more »

After defeating Gilles Simon in five sets 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round of the Australian Open.

Q. You warned us two days ago it was going to be close and it was going to be tough. Did you really expect it was going to be that tough?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, four or five sets, what’s the difference really? But, look, at the end of the day I’m happy I’m through. That’s what it comes down to. Doesn’t matter if you win in straight or in five. Just keep on moving on in the draw and give yourself an opportunity for the next match, maybe an opponent that suits you more, maybe conditions that are maybe a bit more faster than tonight, let’s say. Get the night sessions, sort of the first one, out of the way, and stay alive and feel good. Read more »

Maria Sharapova has announced on her Facebook page about the launch of her new website. Check it out at mariasharapova.com. She has also recently showcased her latest Nike dress which she is planning to wear for the upcoming Australian Open.