Verbals: Why sports stars and social media don't mix

"Done for the rest of the summer!! Man of the World Cup and droppedfrom the T20 side too. It's a f***-up." Kevin Pietersen launches into anill-advised Twitter rant after he was dropped from England'slimited-overs sides.

"As soon as we come off vacation, we're going to cook that littleyellow chump... Once I stomp the midget, I'll make that mother f-----make me a sushi roll and cook me some rice." Floyd Mayweather's racistrant at Manny Pacquiao, published on YouTube, needs no furtherexplanation.

"I've seen it live last year, passing next to me. That's enough traumatic experiences for me." Novak Djokovic on what it's like to be passed by one of Roger Federer's between-the-legs shots at the US Open. Djokovic copped one in 2009; journeyman Brian Dabul received the same treatment this year.

"We feel for all South Africans, especially rugby players, because a situation like this can happen to anyone. It is tragic and we wish it on nobody." South African rugby coach Peter de Villiers suggests that just like rugby star Bees Roux, "anyone"can find themselves charged with murder after allegedly beating a policeman to death.

"Four years at Spurs, for 11million euros, I can hardly believe it myself. The interest from Tottenham came very quick and I did not have much time to think. But I want to play football again and if possible every week, with a beautiful club." One suspects Dutch international and new Tottenham Hotspur signing Rafael van der Vaart might play in Siberia for that kind of cash.

"My nephew said, 'Be careful.' Next thing I knew, I was in the emergency room getting stitches." Serena Williams sort of tells us how she suffered a cut foot in July walking out of a restaurant that ruined her hopes of another US Open title. For such a co-ordinated athlete, it more than a little clumsy.

"I play my best tennis when I'm a little bit more emotional and awake and everything. I always have the feeling when I sit down that my pulse and everything just goes down, so I just don't do it anymore." Dreadlocked Jamaican tennis player Dustin Brown might change his mind on standing during changes of ends when he plays a gruelling five-setter in the on-court sauna that is Melbourne Park in January.

"I expect my umpires to know the left foot from the right foot." One suspects Andy Roddick should spend less time arguing the details of a foot fault with the linesman and more time focusing on winning after his drama-filled loss in the second round of the US Open.

"Spend $78 on a family ticket, stick them in dad's new Porsche, and drive him out here in the car." Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos outlines an ideal Father's Day for dads planning to head to ANZ Stadium for his side's elimination final against Carlton.