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Venus Williams provided some of the season's best, most thoughtful quotes, as is her wont. In losing to Kurumi Nara after her first appearance at the Indian Wells event in 15 years, the ever-frank Venus posted this: "Not everything can end fairy-tale."
Then, upon making the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time since 2009, she had this gem to share: "The first time you win, nobody picks you; the last time you win, nobody picks you,” Venus said, with that zen grin she gets after a victory. “You’ve just got to pick yourself."
6
Raymond Moore, the since-resigned Indian Wells tournament director, provided a different, decidedly sordid quote this year. At a media breakfast (yes, a media breakfast) during his event, he delivered the season's verbal shot heard 'round the world:
"If I was a lady player, I'd go down on my knees every night and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport."
Thankfully, from Billie Jean King to Serena Williams to Andy Murray and others, Moore's statement was resoundingly smacked down by the sport's leaders.
5
Snakes on a Court. Cats, bats and mosquitos, too. Sometimes wildlife makes its way to tennis, and we must be okay with that, if briefly: