“It’s very pleasant to beat Maria. Why? Well, I don’t like her outfit. Can I put it this way? It’s a little too much of everything.” – world No.154 Alla Kudryavtseva rubs it in after beating fellow Russian Maria Sharpova at Wimbledon.
“The courts have been getting slower…Now you can play from the baseline and nobody even gets close to the net.” – MARAT SAFIN after beating third seed Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
“I never took for granted the time I had with Jane and if there is one thing that can be drawn from her life, it is that every day is a blessing.” – GLENN MCGRATH, on wife Jane’s death after an 11-year battle with cancer.
“Without us and our lucky cherry Marks and Spencers knickers I’m not too sure Aussie cricket would be as formidable as it is.” – TRACEY BEVAN, wife of cricketer Michael Bevan, remembering her close friend Jane McGrath at her funeral.
“Well he didn’t come in on the cross so I don’t think he is going to be our saviour.” – NSW coach CRAIG BELLAMY talks about the Origin recall of five-eighth Braith Anasta.
“If the club wasn’t doing too well then maybe I might have been in the mental home,” – ANASTA on controversy over his omission for the first two Origin matches.
“It was on the astonishing side of what we’d all expected,” auctioneer CHARLES LESKI after a baggy green cap worn by Allan Border sold for $29,000.
“In hindsight I wish I had called him (Elliott) back.” – England captain PAUL COLLINGWOOD after reviving talk of the underarm incident with the run out of Kiwi batsman Grant Elliott when flattened by bowler Ryan Sidebottom.
“You could drag someone off the street and put them in a French jersey and they’ll play out of their skin.” – Wallabies coach ROBBIE DEANS rejects the perception the under-strength French squad won’t provide tough competition.
“It should have been a draw … it’s not a fight when he’s running away.” – AZUMAH NELSON on his fight with JEFF FENECH.
“You know how I be, last week Kobe couldn’t do without me.” – SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, in a rap song, mocking former teammate Kobe Bryant, who has never won an NBA title without him.
Spiro Zavos
Expert
I love the quote from Tracey Bevan about the cherry/red knickers she and Jane McGrath wore during Test matches. The knickers should be in the MCG Sports Hall of Fame, along with Steve Waugh's red back-pocket handkerchief. Red being the appropriate badge of courage for Jane McGrath.