The Indian Wells Williams imbroglio continues dominating the quotable quotes in the WTA world this past week in Miami. The only good news with the Williams controversy is that it is at least deflecting some attention from another Tour media nightmare, the Hingis stalking trial that is getting underway next week. One reporter dared to bring up the court case during a Hingis post-match interview but was quickly squashed by a Tour moderator (allegedly players can not comment on the case for legal and "security" reasons). So this week's "Line Judge" looks at some of the latest quotes surrounding the Williams family and then moves to lighter ground with the always-quotable Goran Ivanisevic. Find out what the Croat has to say about the latest ATP marketing campaign and even Mad Cow Disease.

The Tangled Williams Web Continues To Weave

It was no surprise that Richard Williams once again was making news this week at the Ericsson Open. After threatening never to speak or understand English again (insert eye roll here) following the recent controversy at Indian Wells, the patriarch of the Williams family attracted reporters and photographers (away from a stadium court match featuring media darling Andre Agassi no less!) for an impromptu press conference. Williams, who these days is regularly sporting a T-shirt with a caricature of himself, spoke of racial slurs hurled at him and Venus as they were taking their seats for Serena's final match versus Kim Clijsters. Both Venus and Serena have taken a bit of the higher road and been fairly reserved in their comments. Venus simply stated that "I heard what he heard," while Serena said "I'm not really trying to get involved." Needless to say, the tale of the Willliams sisters (fueled further by a recent National Enquirer cover story with the unseemly headline "Wimbledon Fixed") will likely dog the duo for the remainder of their tennis careers.

The player who got the ball rolling, so to speak, was also trying to deflect some attention off her. Elena Dementieva calmly told reporters prior to the anticipated all-Sister Indian Wells semifinal that Richard would decide the winner. This week at the Ericsson, the Russian when asked again about her previous statement said, without much further elaboration, "I was kidding." While Hingis made headlines this week saying the Williams family can always pull out the "race card" when needed, Lindsay Davenport spoke of the situation with her usual tact. The American summarized: "Richard seems to be the one that causes all this commotion and I don't know if he does it on purpose or not. But it just seems like he likes to say things to get a rise out of people and the press. I really don't think that the girls have much to do with it. I think it is just that he talks and then they have to deal with the consequences which is a little unfortunate." The public may just agree. CBS Sportsline is currently running a poll asking if readers they think a Williams sisters match "was ever predetermined." While a majority have said "yes" (57%) to date, one would have expected a much higher percentage given the current bad publicity.

The World According To Goran

The above title was used in a recent ATP new release this past week at the Ericsson Open. Goran Ivanisevic has been entertaining reporters for years now during his past-match press conferences. Win or lose, the Croat can range anywhere from wickedly witty to wonderfully surly. I remember a few years ago at Indian Wells when he campaigned for "CNN Play of the Day" after hitting a "between-the-legs" shot (which he did earn). Additionally that year, Ivanisevic stirred up some controversy after noting the number of old ("half dead" if I remember correctly) people in area restaurants of the fairly popular California retirement community.

Ivanisevic was at it again this year. Although his game may not be where it once was, he sense of humor seems well intact. Speaking of the "New Balls Please" campaign, the 29-year old proclaimed: "They have to promote old balls, old guys like me, old balls, used balls. I think used balls are still better than new balls." Later, Ivanisevic was somehow asked about renewed concerns over Mad Cow Disease. That subject lead to the following discourse: "I can't survive without meat. If I die, I die like a man, eating meat. I have to have meat at least five times a week. I can't change my diet. I don't eat cucumber sandwiches because I don't like that." So while we may not be seeing much of Goran Ivanisevic on the tennis court these days, it is at least nice to know his role as court jester is still intact.