There are a few players who have been just absolute gold in press conferences this past week at Wimbledon, including Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova and Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.
Kuznetsova has not been in the second week at Wimbledon since 2008 and her reaction when I reminded her of that was: “This is because of rain, right?” she said with a self-deprecating laugh.
“It’s great. It’s great. I have difficult friendship with the grass. This year and every year I try to convince myself that I can do well.”
The two-time grand slam champion has been on tour since the year 2000 but finds it funny when she is referred to as a “veteran”.
“Serena is a great example for everybody who is in this, who are over 30, I’d say, in the fourth generation of our 10th year,” said the 31-year-old.
“Actually, great. She’s No.1 dominating, because before, if you’re like 30, I heard some times in the interview, you’re veteran. I’m like veteran? I’m 30.”
Kuznetsova shared a hearty hug with Sloane Stephens after beating the American in the third round and was asked about that moment in press.
“Quality was good?” she teased the reporter who asked about the hug.
“I got all respect for her. I think she does the same for me… Great, great sportsmanship. I think it’s a great example for the next generation, you don’t have to have hate for each other. It’s all about peace, not war.
“We have to show it, because sometimes they mix sport with politics. It’s very important that we show for next generations that, you know, it’s out of that. Give good example.”
So is she implying that a hug between a Russian and an American like herself and Stephens is important in light of the current political situation in the world?
“That has nothing to do with our countries. This is the thing. Here we are united. Doesn’t matter what country you are. We have difficult relationship with Ukraine now, Russia, but we have nothing to do with that. We are doing sports, we are out of politics,” said Kuznetsova.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios has been particularly great in press this past week, responding to tricky questions with humour rather than reverting to his typical defensive mode. He has left a positive impression on the media and has come up with some brilliant one-liners.
Two reporters asked him the same question, just a couple of minutes apart in the press conference on Sunday.
“Are you guys friends?” he responded with a smile. “Exact same question.”
While heaping praise on the game of Andy Murray, his next opponent, he said: “I don’t move anywhere near as well. I don’t know if he’s got the tweener like I do though.”
Here’s hoping this fun Kyrgios continues to show up to the press conference room.
