I was like, ‘You got to serve well to beat him.’ I was like, ‘You already do it, so it’s a plus (smiling).’ He’s a little anxious to get out there. It’s going to be fun to watch.

It will be interesting to see, but it could go either way.

It will be interesting to watch. I think Roger’s going to definitely try to get that early break in the first set, just kind of get out in front. I think that’s going to be a key.

If Isner returns better and Federer isn’t on his game, then, yeah, it will definitely be an interesting match.

Initially they reminded me of a few years ago when black socks and shoes were all the rage in the U.S., but instead of all-black, players were mixing them with colored shorts and shirts, so from the knees down they looked like your grandpa when he goes out in shorts with his dress shoes and socks.

“I was really surprised because I saw him in the locker room,” Young said. “A couple people saw him hitting today. I saw him hitting yesterday and the day before. I thought he was okay.”

At the pro level, where players have spent the majority of their lives hitting backhands and forehands, the game is mostly mental. Sometimes players really believe the things they say. Sometimes they don’t really believe, but say they do, hoping it will become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Federer winning four US Opens in a row would be a first-time feat — then if you want, throw in some asterisks from years when the event wasn’t much different from a local country club tournament.

“I was trying to get through my warm-up as fast as I could so I could put the dress on actually. Not a joke,” Sharapova said. “Was pretty excited about putting it on. So I told my coach, I was like, ‘Last return and I’m out of here. I’m going in the locker room.’

At one point Roddick was asked how he would describe Justin to someone who doesn’t know him, and Gimelstob interjected “Sexy, a good kisser.” Roddick answered “Funny,” and Gimelstob summarized, “Enjoys a good cuddle.”