2021 QUOTES
■■“I didn’t expect to be here at all. I mean, I think my flights were booked at the end of qualifying, so it’s a nice problem to have.”
– Emma Raducanu’s run to the US Open title surprised everyone, including her travel agent.
■■“It’s never once taken me that long to go to the toilet ever when it’s right there.”
–Flushing Meadows got a whole new meaning as Andy Murray raged over Stefanos Tsitsipas’ extended bathroom breaks.
■■“It’s a tough one to swallow, this loss, I mean, considering everything that was on the line.”
– Novak Djokovic fell one short of the calendar year grand slam.
■■“I love being a part of this team, I love my team-mates so much, and I should have done more for them this week.”
– a tearful Rory Mcilroy reflected on his below-par Ryder Cup.
■■“We had everything agreed but, at the last minute, it couldn’t happen. I’ve heard lots of things being said about me. This year I wanted to stay and I couldn’t.”
– an emotional Lionel Messi left Barcelona.
■■“There was a lot of ‘you lot sit over there, near the toilets’.”
– Azeem Rafiq’s explosive testimony lifted the lid on racism in cricket.
■■“He thinks he’s shutting the critics up. But I think it’s embarrassing. He’s been a disgrace the last couple months for Manchester United. He thinks if he scores there, he’s going to shut his critics up. Embarrassing.”
– Roy Keane gave Harry Maguire both barrels on Sky Sports after taking exception to his goal celebration for England.
■■“I am the greatest heavyweight champion of my era, without a doubt. Number one.”
– the ever-modest Tyson Fury, after his trilogy win over Deontay Wilder.