The top quotes from the 2018 season: Part 2

There are the best hot shots of the season, and then there are also the backhanded compliments, verbal barbs, potshots and more – gasp, even the compliments – that capture the competitive, oft-fiery passion of tennis. Whether they made you stand up and applaud while watching your TV or led you to boo and hiss as you scrolled through social media, here's Part 2 of the collection of the most memorable quotations from WTA and ATP players' lips in 2018. (See what you missed in Part 1 here).

1

First, a few catty statements from the Pliskova sisters, about a Serena Williams catsuit itself:

2

Also in Paris, there was the sheer hilarity of Alexander Zverev's love affair for a Yorkshire accent:

3

Maria Sharapova, staying classy as few can, year-in and year-out, though perhaps more easily in light of the data: "I've never really seen it as a competition."

4

Johanna Konta truly came for the press at the French Open after her desultory first-round defeat: "

"Well, you guys can answer this for me, then. If every time you went in to work … let's say you went into work because, obviously, you travel, and let's say for a few years your pieces of writing have just been crap every time when you come into Roland Garros. Right? Just crap. And then your colleagues start to say, 'You know, you really suck around that time.' And that happens, you know, for a few years. ... How would you guys digest that, and would you feel any sort of lingering kind of, 'Oh, you know what? I want to prove these bastards wrong.' And it's just kind of lingering there. So it's not something I would like to buy into, and I don't think I do. However, you guys don't make it easy."

5

And then there was the "unstoppable" literature-catalyzed warring of words that fairly quickly met its expiry date:

Serena Williams, on Sharapova's book: "100 percent hearsay."

Sharapova's reply: "I think it would be strange for me not to include someone that I have competed against for so many years. I think we played many matches. Some of those matches were very defining for me. It would be very strange, I think, if I didn't write anything about her. When you're writing an autobiography, I don't think there is any reason to write anything that's not true." http://baseline.tennis.com/article/74510/maria-sharapova-serena-williams-book-critique

6

Roger Federer, in one of his best statements all season, and a tribute to the wildly talented Aussie: "I'd rather not play five-set matches against Nick [Kyrgios] because they would last too long and we would probably both grow beards before the end."

7

Angelique Kerberon her slumpfest of a prior season influencing her 2018 resurgence, replete with a Wimbledon championship: "I think without 2017 I couldn't win this tournament."

8

Williams was some kind of thoughtful after her most lopsided loss ever, a 6-1, 6-0 outing against Konta in San Jose's first round:

At least that match featured one of the best, most elegant commentator lines of 2018, to Konta's benefit: "A champagne finish to a fabulous opening set."

9

Frances Tiafoe didn't really mince words in addressing (most likely) Rafael Nadal and the introduction of a 25-second shot clock: "It's good. I think it would be well to speed it up. Some guys definitely take their time, move bottles around. But long matches are still going to be long matches. The minute to walk on, I don't like that. I had to take my headphones off so I didn't get fined there."

10

Among all those who shared their thoughts about the Davis Cup changes announced (and subsequently largely pilloried), Andy Murray's statement stuck out.

11

Naomi Osaka, so eloquentwhen asked in Beijing about her remembrance of this year's US Open final played against Serena: "Have you ever eaten green tea ice cream? This is a serious question. When you bite into it, it’s, like, sweet but also very strong. Like, that’s how that memory feels to me."

12

John Isner on his trip to the O2 Arena for the ATP World Tour Finals: "It means a lot to be here. I've certainly been pretty close throughout my career – it's just not quite happened. I realize this year I'm also pretty fortunate as well. I put myself in a good position. To do it at 33 and be competing for the first time [here ]is very satisfying."

13

Federer ultimately fell in his quest for title No. 100, but he had the mindset of a GOAT in the O2 Arena, to be sure:

14

In London, Jack Sock opined on his sterling end, in doubles, to a sincerely bad year of singles results. (Hark back to July, when he had said "I'm just filling in" after he and Mike Bryan, sans twin Bob Bryan, also won the Wimbledon doubles title.)

Now the proverbial ball is in your court, tennis fans: Who delivered your No. 1 quote of 2018 in professional tennis? Share away on Twitter, tagging @Tennis and/or @jonscott9.