So she proved once again that she's not just a pretty face. And she walked away with US$ 1.7 million in prize money. She's got the looks, she's got the style and she's got the game. That's more than enough reasons to hate Shara. But how can you hate a girl who comes up with this at a press conference following her US Open triumph? -

"I believe, at the end of the day, personally, my life is not about a banana."

;-)


As for the guys, tonight there will be a dream final clash between Federer and Roddick. Roddick, himself a champion in New York in 2003, is rumoured to be romantically involved with Shara. Thus the joke: "Doing another Grand Slam winner is like winning another Grand Slam". Both Shara and Roddick refuse to talk about their private lives though, so I can't really blame people for coming up with corny jokes. I hope Roddick wins tonight.

Speaking of tennis jokes, there is a good reason why I love tennis press conferences. Enjoy!

Q: Why do you think you didn’t win today?
Rafael Nadal: Because I lost.

Q: I wasn’t here the other night but you lost that set 6 Love to…
Amelie Mauresmo: I don’t know what you are talking about.
Q: People who I was sitting with were saying, “Oh, gosh, it’s the same old Mauresmo.” I know that’s insulting.
Amelie Mauresmo: I still don’t know what you are talking about.

Q: You’re pretty good friends with James. Do you guys really do anything in between tournaments, anything that’s extreme? I know Andy likes to go skydiving.
Mardy Fish: Yeah, we don’t do that.

Q: Who would win a boxing match between you and Nadal?
Roger Federer: We’re not physical, the tennis players. We don’t like to touch each other.

Q: Do you feel relief that playing Agassi is not going to happen?
Andy Roddick: Obviously you want to play against your idols, but then again you don’t want to be the guy who shot Bambi.

Q: Can you describe what you felt in the locker room?
Andy Roddick: Was that before or after you guys knocked down the door to get in?

Q: You look pretty happy.
Andy Roddick: I am happy.
Q: How is it a different way of playing?
Andy Roddick: You guys are the analysts, you tell me.
Q: You’re the player. We like to hear it from the horse’s mouth.
Andy Roddick: That’s all right. Go buy a horse.