The final week of Wimbledon in quotes

By Neil Maidment

LONDON (Reuters) - Some of the best quotes from the final week of the Wimbledon championships:

*"I was almost playing in the parking lot. I almost need a helicopter to go to my court." -- Jelena Jankovic exaggerates about the drawbacks of playing on Court 18.

*"I tried the best that I could and she was quite solid. She didn't make many mistakes. She was just blocking all those balls. She did quite well, so credit to her." -- Second seed Jankovic on her defeat by Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn.

*"I play her many times and she kick my butt." -- Tamarine Tanasugarn is not too optimistic before her quarter-final with Venus Williams. She went on to lose in straight sets.

*"The thing is Pete (Sampras) played on Court Two after winning seven years. Who deserves what here? It's the club who decides in the end. They can put us at Aorangi or Roehampton if they want to but we have to accept the fact." Roger Federer puts things into perspective for those complaining about playing on the outer courts.

*"I hope to play against him in Roland Garros for sure. I won't be alone this time. So I'm waiting for him." -- Frenchman Richard Gasquet hopes to avenge his fourth round defeat by Britain's Andy Murray, who was roared on by Centre Court crowd.

*"I'm going to sabotage her and eat all the breakfast. I'll eat all the Wheaties so she doesn't have any chance." -- Serena Williams's master plan to beat sister Venus which did not work in the final.

*"To beat Federer you need to be Nadal and run around like a rabbit and hit winners from all over the place." -- Marat Safin holds the key to defeating the world number one.

*"He was playing too well probably for me. His forehand was ridiculous. You know, he's hitting the ball so close to the line, so hard, that it was difficult for me to get into a rhythm. I felt rushed on every point." -- Britain's Andy Murray after Nadal's impressive quarter-final victory over him.

*"I think I gonna win right now." -- Rafael Nadal, when asked what the score would be if Nadal of last year played Nadal of this year.

*"I think had I had this achievement at any other tournament it would have been awesome, but not nearly the same meaning as at Wimbledon. I think the difference is just because of the prestige of this event." -- Venus after her fifth Wimbledon singles title.

*"I lost the last two finals, close finals. But he's (Roger Federer) still the number one. He's still the best. He's still five time champion here. Right now I have one, so for me it's a very, very important day." -- Rafael Nadal after winning his first Wimbledon title.

*"Rafa's a deserving champion. He just played fantastically... It's been a joy again to play here. A pity I couldn't win it under the circumstances but I'll be back next year." -- Five times Wimbledon champion and this year's losing finalist Federer.

(Compiled by Neil Maidment, editing by Clare Lovell)