“How much money do you have?” 
– former world No.1 Steffi Graf, reacting to a marriage proposal at Wimbledon in 1996

Mid-match mock marriage proposals from fans aren’t exactly rare on tour, but to illicit a response from a world No.1 in a Grand Slam semifinal on Wimbledon’s Centre Court is no mean feat. More focused on carving her way to 22 majors throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Graf was not renowned for her crowd interactions, but during a three-set battle against Japan’s Kimiko Date in 1996 the German great made an exception. “Steffi, will you marry me?” one spectator yelled, which drew a wry smile from Graf and laughter from the crowd. “How much money do you have?” quipped Graf, who proceeded to drop serve in that game. “I lost the game, so I think  I’ll ask for a divorce now,” she later told the New York Times.

“The trouble with me is that every match I play against five opponents: umpire, crowd, ball boys, court and myself.” 
– Goran Ivanisevic

The struggle to keep emotions in check set Ivanisevic and any observers on the wildest of rides throughout his 16-year career. Quick-witted and self-deprecating, the fiery Croatian always wore his heart on his sleeve and conceded he had to juggle ‘good Goran’ with ‘bad Goran’ – an internal struggle that often fluctuated between casual grins upon moments of lefty brilliance to explosive racquet smashes when he capitulated. After three Wimbledon final defeats – one to Andre Agassi and two to Pete Sampras – Ivanisevic joked the latter of the two “ruined at least 20 years of my life” before he finally realised his dream in 2001 over Pat Rafter.

“Against him I don’t really need to be a step and a half quicker.” 
– Pete Sampras, firing back at Greg Rusedski

Pete Sampras delivered the ultimate low-key sign-off when he snuck off into retirement as the most prolific men’s Grand Slam champion at the time following his 2002 US Open triumph. During the American great’s unexpected run to the silverware as the 17th seed he denied Greg Rusedski in the third round, which drew a not-so-subtle dig from the vanquished Brit. “I lost the match rather than he won the match … he’s half a step slower,” Rusedski said. “I’d be surprised if he wins his next match against Haas. To be honest with you, I’d be very surprised.” Sampras had the last laugh after he beat Haas en route to the title, but not before he returned fire to Rusedski.

“I threw the kitchen sink at him, but he went into the bathroom and got the tub.” 
– Andy Roddick, after losing to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon 2004 final

Federer was the bane of most opponents’ existence – none more so than Andy Roddick’s at Wimbledon. The Swiss ended their rivalry with a 21-3 record, unbeaten in eight Grand Slam showdowns including four at Wimbledon – three of those in the final at the All England Club. 

“I feel like a cow on ice.” 
– Maria Sharapova

Power and aggression were the cornerstones of Sharapova’s game style and in her early years that reaped greatest rewards on faster surfaces. The former No.1 had no trouble conceding her shortcomings sliding on clay, which was ironic given Roland Garros ended up the only major at which she triumphed twice. Before her 2012 and 2014 titles in Paris, Sharapova’s movement on the terre battue came into focus despite a straightforward win over American Jill Craybas in the second round in 2007. “I feel like a cow on ice,” Sharapova said, having never passed the quarterfinals at the time. “Especially on clay. I don’t play on clay for the other 10 months of the year. It’s not as natural for me.”