They said what? A roundup from media day in Paris

Media Day on Friday and Saturday at Roland Garros did not disappoint despite being done virtually via Microsoft Teams. There was just one glitch, which Serena Williams handled amicably.

The top names in the draw fielded questions ahead of Sunday's start and here's a roundup of the best answers.

1

Victoria Azarenka

Corinne Dubreuil/FFT

Q. I've seen you singing karaoke. I don't know if you enjoyed it, but I've seen you singing.

You've seen me singing karaoke? Did we go to the same bar together or something?

Q. This was about 10 years ago. If you could pick a song or a dance to choose how you will approach Roland Garros, what would it be?

I wouldn't think about Roland Garros. I would choose something from reggaeton and I would dance some Latin beats. I don't know how to describe my dance with words.

2

Simona Halep

Q. Do you ever have any strange or crazy dreams before or during a tournament?

No, I don't. I just want the weather to be better soon because, yeah, I struggle with the cold.

3

Serena Williams

Cedric Lecocq/FFT

Q. Happy birthday.

I generally try to forget this day. I generally don't celebrate birthdays.

4

Gael Monfils

Q. It's your tournament at home. If you had a preference to choose between 5,000 fans and an empty stadium, what you saw in US Open, Hamburg, and Rome, what would be your preference?

Definitely 5,000 people. Just have a little bit energy, a little bit interaction with some people. Yeah, 100 percent, 5,000 people.

5

Daniil Medvedev

Q. Have you experienced the fact that players are not allowed to leave their hotel room? Is it something you miss being in Paris, not being able to have some fresh air outside? Are you able to focus only on the tournament?

I'm completely able to focus only on the tournament. I think everybody is a bit kind of disappointed in a way that you cannot go out, especially Paris, such a beautiful city, even if the weather is not amazing right now. But these rules are made for our healthy. It's not just taken from the sky, they decide like this.

6

Rafael Nadal

Q. I wanted to ask about the balls. You said they're heavy. A lot of people have said that. Did you practice with them before you arrived in Roland Garros? Were you aware of what they'd be like or was this a surprise for you?

No, I practiced with the balls in Mallorca before the comeback. In Mallorca with warm conditions, the ball was very slow, I think not a good ball to play on clay, honestly. That is my personal opinion. Is not the right ball to play on clay court.

7

Johanna Konta

Q: They say that Paris is the city of love. You reached the semis last year. Do you feel like you've developed a bit of a love/hate relationship on the clay, also possibly the British media as well?

I'm sorry, is anyone else laughing back there in the room? That was one of the best questions.

I wouldn't say I have a love/hate relationship with neither the clay nor the French Open nor the British media. I think in terms of the tournament here and the clay in general, I've always loved clay. In terms of the British media, we're kind of stuck with each other, so it is what it is.

8

Serena Williams

Q. Are you excited about the new roof on Chatrier? How do you feel about the cool conditions in Paris right now?

I hate the cold. I'm from L.A. and I live in Florida. For half my life I've never seen snow. Cold weather and me do not mix. That's my Achilles' heel.