You can read the full list of iconic quotes in the October/November 2025 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine, which has a special 'legacy' theme. Now in its 50th year, Australian Tennis Magazine continues to bring you in-depth coverage from the international tennis circuit plus features, instructional content and more. Visit the online shop to preview and order your copy.
“Let that be a lesson to you all. Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row.”
– Vitas Gerulaitis
Following 16 straight losses to US compatriot Jimmy Connors, former Australian Open champion Gerulaitis finally snapped the streak when he landed victory in the Masters year-end championships semifinals, which were held in January 1980. In a cruel twist, his famous words only rang true for 18 months. In the fourth round at Wimbledon in 1981, Bjorn Borg beat Gerulaitis for the 17th time in a row.
“You cannot be serious.”
– John McEnroe
They are the four words that defined a major champion’s firebrand legacy and transcended the sport into pop culture and pub quizzes around the world. It came during McEnroe’s opening match at Wimbledon in 1981 against countryman Tom Gullikson when the ‘Superbrat’ took exception to what he thought was an ace being overruled. “Chalk came up all over the place. You can’t be serious, man. You cannot be serious! That ball is on the line,” McEnroe raged at the chair umpire. The American southpaw went on to win the match and the first of his three Wimbledon trophies but did not attend the Champions Ball after the All England Club decided against making him an honorary member that year for his transgressions.
“How much money do you have?”
– former world No.1 Steffi Graf, reacting to a marriage proposal at Wimbledon in 1996
Mid-match mock marriage proposals from fans aren’t exactly rare on tour, but to illicit a response from a world No.1 in a Grand Slam semifinal on Wimbledon’s Centre Court is no mean feat. More focused on carving her way to 22 majors throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Graf was not renowned for her crowd interactions, but during a three-set battle against Japan’s Kimiko Date in 1996 the German great made an exception. “Steffi, will you marry me?” one spectator yelled, which drew a wry smile from Graf and laughter from the crowd. “How much money do you have?” quipped Graf, who proceeded to drop serve in that game. “I lost the game, so I think I’ll ask for a divorce now,” she later told the New York Times.
“The trouble with me is that every match I play against five opponents: umpire, crowd, ball boys, court and myself.”
– Goran Ivanisevic
The struggle to keep emotions in check set Ivanisevic and any observers on the wildest of rides throughout his 16-year career. Quick-witted and self-deprecating, the fiery Croatian always wore his heart on his sleeve and conceded he had to juggle 'good Goran' with 'bad Goran' – an internal struggle that often fluctuated between casual grins upon moments of lefty brilliance to explosive racquet smashes when he capitulated. After three Wimbledon final defeats – one to Andre Agassi and two to Pete Sampras – Ivanisevic joked the latter of the two “ruined at least 20 years of my life” before he finally realised his dream in 2001 over Pat Rafter.
“Against him I don’t really need to be a step and a half quicker.”
– Pete Sampras, firing back at Greg Rusedski
Pete Sampras delivered the ultimate low-key sign-off when he snuck off into retirement as the most prolific men’s Grand Slam champion at the time following his 2002 US Open triumph. During the American great’s unexpected run to the silverware as the 17th seed he denied Greg Rusedski in the third round, which drew a not-so-subtle dig from the vanquished Brit. “I lost the match rather than he won the match … he’s half a step slower,” Rusedski said. “I’d be surprised if he wins his next match against Haas. To be honest with you, I’d be very surprised.” Sampras had the last laugh after he beat Haas en route to the title, but not before he returned fire to Rusedski.
“I threw the kitchen sink at him, but he went into the bathroom and got the tub.”
– Andy Roddick, after losing to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon 2004 final
Federer was the bane of most opponents’ existence – none more so than Andy Roddick’s at Wimbledon. The Swiss ended their rivalry with a 21-3 record, unbeaten in eight Grand Slam showdowns including four at Wimbledon – three of those in the final at the All England Club.
“I feel like a cow on ice.”
– Maria Sharapova
Power and aggression were the cornerstones of Sharapova’s game style and in her early years that reaped greatest rewards on faster surfaces. The former No.1 had no trouble conceding her shortcomings sliding on clay, which was ironic given Roland Garros ended up the only major at which she triumphed twice. Before her 2012 and 2014 titles in Paris, Sharapova’s movement on the terre battue came into focus despite a straightforward win over American Jill Craybas in the second round in 2007. “I feel like a cow on ice,” Sharapova said, having never passed the quarterfinals at the time. “Especially on clay. I don’t play on clay for the other 10 months of the year. It’s not as natural for me.”
“There are no draws in tennis, but I would have been very happy to accept one and share it with Rafa tonight.”
– Roger Federer after winning an epic Australian Open 2017 final
Almost five years after his last major title and on the comeback from knee surgery, Roger Federer defied the odds for arguably his greatest Slam triumph when seeded 17th he prevailed at Australian Open 2017. The pinnacle of his fairytale fortnight came in the final against his great rival, Rafael Nadal, from 1-3 down in the deciding set for one of his finest victories. During the trophy presentation, Federer revealed his wish for the Spaniard after he accepted the trophy from Rod Laver. “There are no draws in tennis, but I would have been very happy to accept one and share it with Rafa tonight. The comeback had been perfect as it was,” he said.
“Ash changed a lot, changed my mindset going into 2022. I think that was a breakthrough for me … It was one of the reasons I later became world No.1.”
– Iga Swiatek, paying tribute to Ash Barty
It is the ultimate compliment when a rival tailors their training to boost their arsenal and enhance their tactics – a concerted ploy to counter an individual who holds an edge. Iga Swiatek arrived as a major champion when then No.1 Ash Barty missed the defence of her Roland Garros crown in 2020. The Pole never took a set in two encounters with Barty and considered her the benchmark in a promising rivalry, which was cut short before its zenith when the Australian retired in 2022. "I was a top-10 player, but it was tough to play against her [Barty] and to win points, and she really motivated me," Swiatek revealed at Australian Open 2024.
“You going to write a good article or just halfway decent?”
– Venus Williams
After ending a hiatus of almost a year to play mixed doubles at Wimbledon alongside Jamie Murray at Wimbledon 2022, Venus Williams was pressed on how seriously she took her participation in the event given a lack of match play. “Are you here for the experience or are you going to go all the way?” one journalist asked after she and Murray won their opening round. “You going to write a good article or just halfway decent?” she fired back immediately, to laughter from Murray and other members of the press. “I’ll do what I usually do,” the journalist responded, to which Williams raised a sarcastic thumbs-up. “Us too,” she said.