Australian Open Day 8: Press Conference Snippets

Day 8 was a big one for American women, with two Williams sisters and a Madison advancing to the quarterfinals. While Venus' fans are ecstatic, she seems to be keeping a level head, noting that she's "been here before." Serena had to rely on a little on-court coaching, albeit from a boisterous fan who told her to use more spin. (She followed the advice, and it worked.) She also remarked that she loves the crowd's appreciation for her in Australia, something she doesn't get everywhere she goes. Novak Djokovic seemed a bit confused about a serve-and-volley question; a reporter said that his opponent used the tactic successfully against Djokovic, although Muller's straight-set loss seemed to indicate otherwise. Breakout star Madison Keys reminds us that she's still a teenager with talk of emojis. And finally, just when you think all possible questions about The Sleeve have been asked and answered, a reporter asks the same ones, again.


Q. Because of the opponent, because of the occasion, does it feel like the biggest win for you in a while?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I mean, I guess from the outside looking in, I guess it could look like that. But for me I'm just really focused and poised right now. I feel like I've been here before, so it's not like I'm jumping up and down for joy, Oh, shoot, what is this? I've never done this. Yes, I've done this. This is what I'm always going into each tournament thinking I want to do, even when I fall short. It's definitely not the first time. I guess that's how I feel.

Q. Do you feel your performances affect people and are an inspiration?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely. I think all of us touch lives in ways that we never dreamed of growing up as kids. You just want to be No. 1 in the world, you want to win a major. You never think about the people you inspire from your efforts and your attitude. Yes, that's been my experience in my life and most professional players I think it's their experience as well.


Q. When that person in the stands called out, Use some spin, did you follow up on that?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I did. I was like, you're right. I'm trying to do that anyway, but I wasn't doing it. So my fan coach was like, Use some spin, Serena. I was like, Okay, okay. It's been like really great. I hear my name throughout the whole stadium like 360. I don't get that everywhere. It feels good.

Q. Why do you think there's such an in and out in terms of getting that?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think when you win often, sometimes people want other people to win. They forget that you want to keep winning, too. And that's okay. You know, I'm used to it.

Q. It is nice that you're taken for your results?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I get that every year in Australia. That's one of the reasons this is my favorite place to come. I really love it so much.


Q. What is serve and volley's future in your opinion? Because he did it tonight successfully.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Him?

Q. Yes.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I go to the net to shake hands (smiling).

Q. What is the future of the tactic?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: That's a good question. It really depends how the technology is going to advance, what are we going to do with the balls as well. Are they going to become faster or slower? My subjective feeling for the Australian Open, I talked to many players, the last two years the courts or the balls, something out of these two elements have speeded up the game here in Australia. It plays faster. It allows the servers to have more free points, come to the net. On a cold night like tonight, the ball didn't bounce very much. He tried to chip and come in. He played smart. Made me uncomfortable in some moments on the court. That's what serve-and-volley players do. You don't get to see that many serve-and-volley players these days. The future, it's hard to say if it's going to go back to what it was 20, 30 years ago. I highly doubt that. Depending on technology and certain changes, if the game becomes a bit faster, the players will adjust to it.


Q. How big a milestone does a first slam quarterfinal feel to you?

MADISON KEYS: It feels really good. My mom texted me before the tournament. She said, It's your last Grand Slam as a teenager, and sent me a bunch of grandma faces. I'm like, Thanks for reminding me, Mom. Thank you. Love you. It's huge. But it's my last slam as a teenager. I'm doing so well and hopefully I can keep it up.

Q. What would be the emoji that describes your general sense right now?

MADISON KEYS: You know, the one that she's in a salsa dress dancing. That would be me right now.


Q. How long have you been wearing a sleeve?

MILOS RAONIC: Since Miami of last year.

Q. Is that precautionary?

MILOS RAONIC: First it was for medical purposes. I had a rash and I couldn't have my arm in the sun, so I had to play with long sleeves. I wasn't really too fond of that, with the warmth in Miami. I went on with that. I've liked the feeling ever since. It's compression. Never feels like it gets too hot. But on a day like today that's cool, it feels like it's nice and warm.