The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : A petty `court dispute'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 05, 2004

Sport

Sport - Tennis

A petty `court dispute'

LONDON, JULY 4. Andy Roddick's coach is unhappy that his ward hasn't played on Centre Court since the first round till the semifinals.

``Andy is fine with it, but ... I'm a little annoyed,'' Brad Gilbert said in a radio interview. ``He's not like some obscure guy. He's the U.S. Open champion.''

Roddick played his first-round match against qualifier Wang Yeu-tzuoo on Centre Court, and since then he has played on Court 1 or 2. He was due on Centre Court for his semifinal against Mario Ancic, but the match was bumped to Court 1 because of rain.

``He's played four consecutive matches on Court 1. It's a little bit peculiar,'' Gilbert said. ``The two courts are different, but it doesn't matter anymore.''

Can't hide

Keeping a low profile can be difficult for Serena Williams, who compares her celebrity to that of pop diva Britney Spears.

``I can't go anywhere in the world, especially in America. It's crazy,'' Williams said after losing the final on Saturday to Maria Sharapova. ``I'm in Italy and I can't go places. I'm in England, I can't walk on the streets. In America, I don't care what State I'm in, it's just like, forget it.''

Williams said she has tried to put her flair for fashion to use in designing a decent disguise. ``I've tried lots of different looks and lots of different hair colours and everything,'' she said. ``It doesn't work.''

No big deal

The shrieks that occasionally accompany Maria Sharapova's shots have been compared to screeching gibbons, revving motorcycles and diesel trains.

Serena Williams found them no big deal in the final.

``People are so picky. If that's what she does, let her do it,'' said Williams. ``Let her grunt. I grunt loud. I pump my fist. It's so minute, you can't let it bother you. It doesn't bother me at all.'' — AP

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