Say what?! The best quotes of US Open day 1

Several seeds fell, as some of the title favourites cruised, in soaring temperatures on day one of US Open 2016. What did the world’s best players have to say when they fronted the media? Take a look at the day’s best quotes…

Round one winner Rafael Nadal is still struggling with his forehand as he recovers from a wrist injury:
“My serve worked well almost all the time. I am hitting very well the backhand, but it’s true that the forehand I need time. I need confidence and I need to keep practicing the forehand.”

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is not surprised with his round one win:
“I expect to win, of course, before the match, and I did it. So, yeah, that’s great.”

Olympic champion Monica Puig is trying to stay positive after her round one exit:
“I’m still in the process of learning. There’s so much to be done still with my game. I’m 22 years old. There’s always room for improvement. I’m just going to go back to the drawing board with my team and see what else we can fix.”

A disappointed Frances Tiafoe reflects on his five-set round one loss to John Isner:
“Toughest loss of my career so far for sure. But, you know, think I’m getting over it now a little bit. I mean, not much to really say. It’s tough. I was so excited serving for it 5-3; the crowd is going nuts; I’m going nuts. You have so much adrenaline going. Come up a little short, it hurts.”

Yet even Frances Tiafoe was impressed with his own game:
“Seemed like everything I touched was golden. Came out playing pretty much lights out. I was returning unbelievable. I was guessing right on everything. Wasn’t really expecting that.”

John Isner on how he responded when trailing 3-5 against Frances Tiafoe in the deciding set:
“You know, I think in that instance I actually probably played the best return game I played all match.”

World No.3 Garbine Muguruza has no plans to explore New York this fortnight:
“Once I start the tournament I’m very, I don’t know the word, like in a cave. I’m in my room. I do simple stuff. I don’t go to a lot of places. I just try to keep my energy with me and not going there and there and there.”

A happy Gael Monfils on his round one victory:
“Today I just play tough and cruised. I’m satisfied.”

Angelique Kerber on the prospect of becoming world No.1 after the tournament:
“For sure to be one day No. 1, I think this is a goal from everybody, especially also for me. But I will not putting too much pressure on myself like I said a lot of times, because I know that when I put the pressure I’m not playing my tennis then. You know, I will go out there to win every match going step by step. If the day will come someday it will be amazing. But, yeah, just let’s see. I have to win few more matches.”

Brit Kyle Edmund on his upset of No.13 seed Richard Gasquet:
“Definitely one of my best wins in my career. Yeah, very pleasing. Very encouraging the way I played, the way I handled myself, dealt with situations. I thought I was smart with the way I played when I needed to be in certain situations.”

Last year’s surprise finalist Roberta Vinci on her return:
“It’s incredible to be here. It’s pass one year, so like yesterday. But I had of course a great memory, but today just think about the match and keep the positive things of the last year.”

American Taylor Townsend on the hot conditions on court:
“It was getting pretty toasty.”

World No.6 Milos Raonic assesses his round one win over Dustin Brown:
“I was efficient at the end of the day. Three sets; not too much time on court. I would have wished to play better, but it’s not the goal to be playing my best tennis in the first round. It’s about getting through and giving myself a chance to get better in the next round. Hopefully my level continues to improve.”

Defending champion Novak Djokovic isn’t panicking about needing four sets to reach the second round:
“Each day presents us some kind of challenges that we need to overcome, accept and overcome. It wasn’t easy today playing against Jerzy (Janowicz) for the first time. He’s a very, you know, potent player, powerful serve, big forehands. Unpredictable really.”