By Justin Ross
Tommy Haas on seeing an iguana during his match:
“I don’t know. Maybe the iguana got the note that this is most likely the last time playing here, and he wanted to say hi and take a peek or something. I thought that’s an interesting picture to take. Again, I don’t think it’ll ever happen again, to be honest, especially in my career, because it’s almost over anyway. It’s nice for him to stop by. Good looking iguana.”
Frances Tiafoe prior to his second-round clash with Roger Federer:
“This guy has about a million Grand Slams and done everything. I mean, I can’t tell you how excited I am to play. Seeing the draw was partly probably why being up a set and 4-1, I started rushing and thinking, Oh, my God, I’m going to play Roger, I’m going to play Roger. Then I started thinking, Okay, if I don’t get it done I won’t. Yeah, I mean, he’s my idol, everyone’s idol. People still on tour in the locker room stare at him. He’s an absolute legend.”
Karolina Pliskova on having a twin sister who plays tennis:
“It’s a plus. It’s positive to have somebody like her on the tour. We are still so close to each other. It’s good to have somebody like your sister on the tour and share some moments with her.”
Roger Federer on the tournament’s atmosphere:
“But like this it was just really a great, nice atmosphere. A lot of pleasure playing him. Nice weather. Great opponent. Great crowd. Yeah, what else do you need? Just another good press conference with you guys and then it’s perfect. (Laughter)”
Venus Williams on her inspiration:
“Yeah, I mean, I’ve been really blessed to have this sister called Serena Williams. She’s so cool. She’s super inspiring, so I don’t really need to look much further. Inspiration comes from within as well.”
Jack Sock on his March Madness bracket:
“All I’ll say is my bracket is in 7 millionth place out of 8 million people, so I’m not doing very well.”
Federer on the prospect of playing in Mexico:
“I don’t know. I been to Mexico last time probably back in ’96, so I don’t know how many fans I have down there. (Laughter.) I played a juniors down there and lost second round.”
Alex Zverev on defeating Stan Wawrinka on his birthday:
“I’m not sure I’ve actually broke his party or anything like that. I think he’s actually going to party more now. Yeah, I’m sorry. I wanted to win as well. It’s my brother’s girlfriend’s birthday as well, so happy birthday to her.”
Federer on his big-brother-little-brother relationship with Wawrinka:
“I think when Stan cracked the top let’s say 50 maybe. I felt like he didn’t need as much guidance or as much advice really. You know, when he doesn’t call you or text you before certain matches anymore, big matches, and he goes on and causes the upset or he goes on and does really well by himself with his team and his coach, that’s when you sense that he’s moved on.”
Rafael Nadal on his 1000th match:
“1000 matches is a lot of matches obvious and good news, because that says that I am having a long career. That’s something important, especially that during a lot of years I heard that I going to have a short career. So it’s something important for me. Yes, during the match was good feelings to have a comeback like I had today. The first match I remember very well because it was at home in Mallorca. It was my first victory on the ATP. Was a great feeling.”
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2017 Miami Open will be played March 20-April 2 at the Crandon Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.
About Itaú
Itau is the largest Latin America privately owned bank, with approximately 95,000 employees and operations in 20 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Itaú’s relationship with sport goes back to the 1970s, when Itaú first sponsored the Itaú Tennis Cup in Brazil in 1970. Itaú has been a sponsor of the Miami Open for the last six years, and also sponsors the Rio Open, the only combined ATP/WTA event in South America. Itaú also supports the Brazilian Women’s Tennis Circuit, only female professional tournament in South America, certified by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as the Tennis Institute Training Center, responsible for the development of young, new talent.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.
