Lip Service

"I have asked every coach he has worked under and they have all confirmed that he is the laziest player they have ever worked with. He does nothing. He doesn't train, which is why he is in such a condition."
- Former Germany goalkeeper Uli Stein blasts out of form and out of shape Germany striker Lukas Podolski ahead of the World Cup.

"I treated it as just another match. Maybe at the start of our careers it was important. Now you just want to play your tennis."
- Jelena Jankovic says it's business, not personal after defeating Serbian compatriot Ana Ivanovic in Madrid.

"If we beat Pakistan and meet England in the final it would be a good start to what is going to be a very good and interesting summer back in Australia as well with the Ashes."
- Australia Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke looks one game ahead at the World Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean.

"When I was 19, I was in danger of going off the rails but I was given a chance to move to Christchurch and play for Canterbury. Later that year, I was picked for the All Blacks and this incredible journey began. I have been so fortunate to make so many friends in this game, all around the world."
- Justin Marshall, an 81-test veteran for the All Blacks, calls full time on his rugby playing career, aged 36.

"This isn't a B or C team. We're playing the Stormers at Newlands and we feel as strong as any other Bulls team."
- Bulls lock Bakkies Botha comments after his side make 14 changes for the final round Super 14 clash against the Stormers.

"I would have taken this virus any time over the past five weeks, but unfortunately I have it now. I was up about 24 hours between Sunday and Monday night with all the symptoms. I played doubles Tuesday and found I could not focus on the ball."
- US tennis star Andy Roddick laments his limited preparation ahead of the French Open.

"Success isn't a straight line, you have to slip up a bit. I remember in Manchester I didn't win anything in my first two years. This club will definitely win the Champions League."
- Cristiano Ronaldo makes a bold prediction about his club Real Madrid

"First let me apologise to the fans, to get knocked out of the T20 is a tough one. The display was absolutely terrible."
- West Indies captain Chris Gayle laments his side being knocked out of the World Twenty20 tournament in the Super 8 stage.

"In our batting it can't be just me getting runs, others have to take responsibility."
- Gayle gives himself a not so veiled compliment.

"He's a champion player, a champion bloke. Darren Lockyer always rises above all the critics. That's the type of bloke he is and you learn to expect that of him."
- Gold Coast Titans captain Scott Prince puts his weekend rival on a pedestal ahead of the local derby against the Brisbane Broncos.


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