A NEW DAY: Asked is she’s seen a notable change in attitudes toward race in the U.S. since President Obama entered the White House, Serena Williams said, “A lot of white people voted for Obama, so I can only hope it does change the outlook a lot. Not only him – a lot of positive Africans Americans we have in society right now is amazing – the Colin Powells, the Michelle Obamas, the Condoleezza Rices – just a lot of people in general are very positive role models.”
CRISIS MANAGEMENT: Asked after her loss to Sam Stosur in the Bank of the West Classic quarters if she would stick around to see her sister Venus’ night match against Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams joked, “I want to just go home and figure out what to do with my singles career.”
THE POISONOUS PRESS: Marion Bartoli shared her thoughts with IT on why French players struggle so mightily at Roland Garros: “It’s very difficult for all the French players to play in France because it’s not only the crowd, the press are very critical. They can one day put you up when you have a win, and the next day they put you below the earth when you have a loss. There’s no balance. It’s one way or the other. Sometimes it’s difficult for us because at the French Open they expect the French to win. It’s on clay. It’s in Paris. You have to win. Unfortunately, it’s poison working like this. When you lose, especially at the French Open, it’s very difficult to bounce back after that.”
THE BIG THREE: Asked (after her sixth straight loss to Venus) to name the three toughest players she’s gone up against on the tour, Elena Dementieva wasted little time: Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Justine Henin.
AHHHH, MOTHERHOOD: Ashley Harkleroad told The Tennis Channel that she’s enjoying motherhood, but she’s definitely feeling the aftereffects: “I’m still having some pain from childbirth, holding a baby…It’s pretty traumatic on your body.”
HEADLINES
Ball Bounces Into Semis
QUOTEBOOK
“I don’t know what I did wrong. My brother, he’s 6′-2″. I don’t know what happened.” — Israel’s Dudi Sela on his less-than-imposing 5′-9″, 147-pound frame
“FYI, Sam Querrey‘s mom is hot.” — Justin Gimelstob via Twitter
