Say what?! Best quotes from day 15 of Roland Garros

Roland Garros 2016 has drawn to a close – and after the final balls were hit, the champions and runner-ups shared their thoughts with the media. These are the best quotes from the day 15 press conferences…

“We’re all humans, and arriving so close like never before in my life to this trophy and winning it, you know, I felt it. I felt the tension and excitement, all the emotions. You name it.”
Novak Djokovic on how he was feeling late in the fourth set

“In the last point I don’t even remember what happened. It was really one of those things – moments where you just try to be there. It’s like my spirit has left my body and I was just observing my body, you know, fight the last three, four exchanges, you know, going left to right and hoping that Andy will make a mistake, which has happened. And, yeah, a thrilling moment. One of the most beautiful I have had in my career.”
Novak Djokovic recalls how he felt on his winning championship point

“It’s incredibly flattering to know that Rod Laver is the last one, you know, that managed to do that, of course. There is not many words that can describe it. It’s one of the ultimate challenges that you have as a tennis player. I’m very proud, very thrilled, obviously.”
Novak Djokovic on holding all four Grand Slam titles at once

“At the beginning I was not glad to be part of their era. (Laughter.) Later on I realised that in life everything happens for a reason. You’re put in this position with a purpose, a purpose to learn and to grow and to evolve. Fortunately for me I realised that I need to get stronger and that I need to accept the fact that I’m competing with these two tremendous champions and that, you know, then everything was uphill from that moment on.”
Novak Djokovic on competing alongside Federer and Nadal

“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I really – I really think everything is achievable in life. You know, winning this trophy today gave me so much happiness and fulfillment. I’m trying to grasp and I’m trying to cherish, obviously, these moments right now. Whether or not I can reach a calendar slam, that’s still a possibility. But, you know, I don’t think about it right now. You know, right now I just try to enjoy this experience of winning the trophy that I never won before.”
Novak Djokovic on chasing a calendar-year Grand Slam

“I mean, obviously the guys I have been around the last few years have made things difficult for me. I mean, you know, I have been close-ish to winning all of the slams now and, you know, unfortunately all of them have done it instead. But I guess I’ve got a few more years to try and do that.”
Andy Murray reflects on his Grand Slam record of two wins from 10 finals

“You know, it toughens you up a little bit. You know, when I go back to playing at Queen’s and then Wimbledon the atmosphere will be a lot different. You know, it will give me a boost, for sure.”
Andy Murray on the tough atmosphere French fans gave him

“It’s never logical to win a Grand Slam. It’s never obvious. You know, you don’t win a Grand Slam every single day. Two young French women players who win Roland Garros. So there are the big tournaments that we have already won, which is a good success in itself, but, you know, winning a Grand Slam, and here in Roland Garros, it’s ten steps above what is logical or normal.”
Kristina Mladenovic understands how special winning a Grand Slam is

“I was telling Caroline, I was saying, Do I want to smile? Laugh? Cry? I don’t know. Frankly I couldn’t describe.”
Kristina Mladenovic on her emotions after winning

“When I started playing doubles I never thought I would win Roland Garros. I was so bad when I was at the net; and today, you know, today they were shooting at me. I managed to overcome these difficulties. Anybody can improve their games. Even at the beginning if you’re really bad in doubles, continue, work hard, and look at what we have done.”
Caroline Garcia is inspired by her own success