'Stop moaning over schedule'

2008-07-01 07:42

London - World number one Roger Federer told the Williams sisters to stop moaning over the Wimbledon schedule.

Both four-time champion Venus and Serena, a double winner, played their fourth round matches on Court Two, the so-called 'graveyard of the seeds' while men's champion Federer and second seed Rafael Nadal played on Centre Court and Court One respectively.

"The thing is Pete (Sampras) played on Court 2 after winning seven times. Who deserves what here?," said Federer.

"It's the club who decides in the end. We're happy to be playing here. They can put us at Aorangi (the practice courts) or Roehampton (where the qualifiers are held) if they want to, but we have to accept the fact."

Five-time champion Federer, who eased into the quarter-finals with a straight sets win over Lleyton Hewitt, said he would have no problems if he was scheduled to play on Court Two.

"I wouldn't be disappointed if they put me there. More just like, 'Why can I not play on Centre Court or Court 1 because they're such nice courts?' Again, going back on Court 2, sometimes it's kind of cool. You're closer to the crowds. It's kind of a different feeling out there.

Unscathed

"I hope that day will not come for me, that I will have to play on Court 2. I understand there's a little bit of disappointment but I don't think it has anything to do with disrespect. I don't think that's what this tournament is all about."

The American sisters both emerged unscathed from their trip to the court.

Serena, who eased past compatriot Bethanie Mattek 6-3 6-3 said the snub had been particularly hard on her sister, the defending champion.

"I do think it is weird, especially for the defending female champion who has won the tournament four times," she said, before adding sarcastically: "I have only won twice - but hey, that is not so bad."

Venus moved a step closer to her fifth title by beating fast-rising Russian teenager Alisa Kleybanova 6-4 6-3 setting up a quarter-final meeting with Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Afterwards she made it clear she had been surprised with the location for her match.

"There is not too much I am going to say about that in the press," she said frostily. "Obviously we know wherever we play we have to play well and that is pretty much all I'm going to say about that."

Despite that claim, Williams went on to agree with a suggestion that Federer or Nadal would not have to put up with similar treatment. "You said it," she said. "It is true."

- AFP