11 legendary Andrea Petkovic quotes from Tennis Channel Inside-In

Having a conversation with Andrea Petkovic is an experience like no other. The former Top 10 player has unbridled enthusiasm for the sport she dedicated her life to, and that passion hasn't waned since she retired a year ago. She's also a gregarious personality with an unmatched wit, and her filter is absent at the absolute funniest times.

On the Tennis Channel Inside-In Podcast, we had the chance (or maybe the luxury?) to speak with the rising media star, in the midst of another one of her popular broadcasting runs at our network. It was impossible to choose our favorite line from the infinitely quotable German—so we didn't!

Most lists go up to ten but this one goes up to 11, because Andrea Petkovic is anything but traditional:

11: “I was one of the tallest players when I came on tour, and I was in the lower average of players in the Top 100 when I retired.”

The evolution of players' height on the WTA is real, and it's spectacular.

10: “The thing that always annoyed me the most with her, no matter how much break she had, no matter how big the difference of surface was, how big the difference of conditions were, Angie, within three minutes of hitting the ball already felt it amazingly. And I was the type of player who like five days needed to practice three times a day in all different weathers and all different times of the day to get a feeling for it.”

Some players, like Angelique Kerber, just transition smoothly from surface to surface. Petkovic was not one of those players.

9: “I think it will... Ah, it probably won’t be calmer in the future, because I just like working. And I love tennis and it’s hard for me to stay away.”

Who would've thought playing pro tennis would be a lighter schedule than life in retirement?

8: “When she lost, I was almost relieved. Because I could already smell the German press like (shark noises). They were like sharks smelling the blood, and just waiting for that little piece of meat that gets dropped int the ocean.”

Some great perspective on Noma Noha Akugue, who will probably benefit in long-run and be able to develop with less pressure after losing in the Hamburg final.

7: "First of all, they kind of did die in the end."

Petkovic recapping her viral commentary line during the Acapulco men's semifinal match between Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul. She called the match "A Greek Tragedy," noting that everyone indeed dies at the end of such stories.

6: “Every time I think of it, it makes me laugh so much. Just the confused look on the Japanese like three people that were in the audience.”

On her iconic handshake story with Gisela Dulko in Tokyo back in 2010. One went for a hug, the other went for a kiss on the cheek, and the result was confusing for the sparsely attended crowd in Japan.

5: “In Germany we say 'puppy protection phase'... Where you’re like, Oh she just was pregnant, let’s see what she does and then we’ll reevaluate after a year. But now Svitolina coming back so strongly, I think they will feel a little bit of pressure to do the same.”

Elina Svitolina has certainly raised the bar for returning mothers on the WTA. And add "puppy protection phase," to the tennis lexicon immediately.

4: “You know that person at dinner that always eats the rest of everyone else’s? That’s my role.”

Petkovic is serving as the unofficial mentor/sage/savant of the next wave of talented German tennis players. She answers all the questions, and finishes all the food apparently too.

3: “I pushed for us to go further, maybe into the North Sea and never come back. Unfortunately Eva Lys didn’t want to come with me because she had to play the next day."

On her first (and thankfully not last) sailing trip with some German colleagues.

2: “I had so much respect for him for just shaking the other guy’s hand, I think it was Alex Molcan. Just shaking his hand, tapping his bag and I was like, you go boyfriend, because this was impressive.”

Sebastian Ofner's shocking loss from 6-4, 5-0 gained at least one new fan, as Petkovic lauded his ability to give a respectful handshake at the net.

1: “I really do love tennis; I really think it’s the most beautiful sport in the world. And I also strongly strongly strongly believe it should be the second biggest sport in the world, at least. And maybe we can also push off soccer from the throne.”

You've been warned soccer. Tennis is coming for the top sporting spot, and Andrea Petkovic is leading the charge. I like our chances.