Rome Sweet Home: Serena, Murray get their laughs in after winning titles

We learned this a long time ago: Serena Williams and Andy Murray will do what they want. This week in Rome, they had their way with the foes they faced. In the women’s final, Serena batted back the future, topping Madison Keys. Then the artful Murray composed a decisive victory over longtime nemesis Novak Djokovic to claim a birthday treat: the Italian Open men's singles title.

Even so, hijinks ensued. Keys, speaking ahead of Serena during the trophy presentation, made quick work of a go-to Italian sign-off. Her quip nearly drew a doubled-over laugh from Serena:

Then Serena, having seized her 70th career singles title, struggled to keep it together—the trophy, that is.

Murray eyed the prize after defeating Djokovic, and then embraced his inner, fun-loving cynical self for a post-championship photo alongside mother Judy Murray, who brought him into this world 29 years ago.

Before these good-natured incidents involving Keys, Serena and Murray, Djokovic—in his semifinal showdown with Kei Nishikori—sought to serve with a broken string before the chair umpire intervened.

Well then, cue the James Morrison-Nelly Furtado duet. And here's to the impending French Open. With amuse-bouches like these in Rome, two weeks in Paris should prove to be très amusant.

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.