2004
June
Wimbledon
Venus Williams interview
Monday, June 21, 2004
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Venus.
Q. Did you feel like you were racing the weather a little bit there at the end?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It was really tricky because sometimes it was clear, sometimes there was a cloud. Even before the rain started, they covered the courts.
But I've learned that I can't rush it or else I start making mistakes.
Q. Is there a little awareness that the drops are falling there in the last game, a point or two from victory?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly, a little bit. But, you know, I felt comfortable at that point, and it was fairly close to being closed out, so I was ready.
Q. 11 unforced errors. Looked like a very clean performance. How did you feel about it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, that was good actually. I was looking at these stats and seeing what the errors were going to be. I would have liked to always have a little less, but it was a good game for me.
Q. How do you feel this year compared to 12 months ago?
VENUS WILLIAMS: That was such a long time ago. I have to go back, back, back.
I guess good. I mean, I suppose I can compare my form to last year in the early rounds around this time, yes.
Q. You won six of your seven points at the net, which begs the question: Why don't you come to the net more often?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I mean, you could see I was on my way. But I hit a lot of winners, so...
By the time it was time to hit a volley, I had already hit a winner, what have you.
Q. Martina Navratilova was in here talking about it's kind of hard to make that commitment to go to the net, you have to convince yourself in your mind that it's a good idea. Can you talk us through, is there some talking you do in your head to get yourself up there?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think what I do is I have to have a game plan going in and stick to it. But I think I was just somewhat raised as a baseliner, an aggressive player, of course, all-court game. The baseline is pretty much where I like to be. But I definitely understand the net game a little bit more, the last two months.
Q. How much has Billie Jean helped with that? Is she still pushing you to do that more?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Right, right. Really positive atmosphere at Fed Cup when I had the chance to be under -- be I guess her little pupil, along with Zina. They both have perfect volleys.
When Serena and I are passing down the halls, we look at the old pictures of everyone playing. We're like, "See how she 's looking at the ball? Look how the racquet's out in front. Why aren't you do that kind of thing?"
So we were just looking at Billie's picture the other day, Serena was commenting, "She's an expert on volleys." We've learned a lot from her.
Q. Did you see any of Martina's match today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Maybe one or two points. I was getting ready for my match.
Q. What was your reaction to that score?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Congratulations, really. I think it takes a while to get back in the swing of singles, especially, you know, if you've been out so many years, as she has. So, obviously, she's doing something right.
Q. Does it reflect badly on the women's tour for a 47-year-old woman, even though it is Martina Navratilova, to win a match as easily as that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it reflects well on Martina. She's in wonderful shape. She understands the game probably more than ever at this point.
Q. When you watch her playing and see the way she plays and goes to the net, is it tempting for you to want to do it that way yourself?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. I like my game. I like how I play. I don't know.
I think you have to mix it up. If you're constantly coming to the net, someone's going to know, "She's coming to the net." If you can play from the baseline and then come in, this is trickier to me.
Q. Being back at Wimbledon, especially after that difficult final last year, was it a nice feeling? What kind of feeling did it give you stepping out on the grounds?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm always happy to be back. It's so nice. I know I can play as fast as I want to. Possibly I play even faster here. I don't even have to go for as much placement on my serve. I just hit it.
I just have a lot of fun on this surface.
Q. And the reaction of the crowd at the end? They gave you a generous round of applause.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I know. That was nice. And then I kind of missed a shot. I think I had a breakpoint against me. There was a collective sigh. I was like, "Wait a minute, what's going on here?" I'm used to people being very nice, but not so nice like that. I did have a chance to enjoy that moment.
Q. What were the best tips in your notes today that you were reading courtside?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I only had about five tips today. Just stay focused. It's so important.
Q. Was that a new outfit?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's a new outfit. It's kind of more reminiscent of evening wear than tennis wear.
Q. Is that something you designed?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. It's definitely Diane von Furstenberg.
Q. Comfortable?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's really comfortable, really fun, really elegant. I love the hem line. It's definitely what's going on this summer. I guess I'm just in fashion.
Q. About the fans, do you think maybe your last 12 months with your injury problems, you're seen as a bit more human?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I don't know. I always hope that people saw me as human. Obviously, a steely competitor, that's very important to me. But, yeah, I even struggled all year long. I've twisted both ankles. I've had a lower leg strain where I had to pull out of a few events. I've hardly played in an event healthy or prepared. It's been very difficult.
I keep teasing my physio. "If I laugh too hard, I might get injured."
Q. How is your health, your ankle, stomach?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean, my stomach's fine. Hopefully a ghost, history. My ankles, obviously I have to tape them. Don't really like to, but I tape them because I'm a bit fragile now in that area.
Q. Any lingering pain from Roland Garros?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Since that time, I've like turned it a couple more times. And I don't know why, I think once you do it once or twice, you lose a little bit of stability. So once I can just kind of not twist it the next couple of months, I should get everything back to normal.
Q. Which ankle is it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Mostly the left these days.
Q. And the wrist?
VENUS WILLIAMS: What about the wrist?
Q. The wrist is okay?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, thank you (smiling).
Q. Is it difficult not to go easy on the ankle, knowing it's a bit fragile?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I've noticed that my feet on this surface, especially the return, I haven't been moving as quickly as I've wanted to.
With the grass, you can kind of get stuck a little bit. I think subconsciously I'm thinking about that, but it hasn't stopped me.
Roland Garros
Venus/Mary Pierce
Q. When she broke you in that fifth game, it was like after that you seemed to find another switch. You just closed every opportunity she had after that. Can you talk about that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It was a good match. Not necessarily a lot of long rallies, but there were some close games, I think about three or four of them went back and forth to deuce, that were really important games as far as possibly swings in momentum.
But really felt like I found some form out there today, and that was good.
Q. What do you think was the difference today? Maybe you were moving much better than her?>
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, movement is one of my strengths, so that helps me out a lot. Every match, if I'm not playing well, I know I can rely on getting to a lot of balls.
But I'm not sure. I guess you'll have to ask her, you know, how she was feeling. Could have been a combination of the pressure, you know, playing in France, the pressure of knowing that I'm going to get to a lot of balls, knowing maybe how she would have to play. I don't know how she was feeling.
I know I was able to make a few more shots than her, so it was good from my end.
Q. You are undefeated this year on clay so far. Does it mean that your confidence is as high as possible?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I've been playing very good on this surface the last events, Fed Cup, then on green clay in the States. I understand the surface. It's just about putting it together at this tournament.
Q. And a few weeks after you twisted your ankle, the condition is still as good as it was before?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm a lot better. When I go on the court, at least now I don't have to be very worried about if I'm going to twist it again. If it happens, it happens, but now I'm not worried about it.
Q. Those long rallies, do you think it becomes harder and harder when you're losing those points? Is it harder to come back after a 20-shot rally that you lose a point as opposed to points that are shorter? Is there a kind of a mental difference that plays out as a match wears on?
VENUS WILLIAMS: For me I feel like the longer the rally goes, the more I'm going to win the rally. I get more in a groove the longer the rally goes. I know that I can get to the ball.
But a lot of times, if you lost those points or you've not played as well as you want to, it's important to put it in the past or else it's going to affect the performance of the point that you're playing at that moment. That's what I found works for me.
Q. How does it feel to know that you can get to those balls? When you were injured, that had to be something that was a hard feeling to have.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, at the beginning it was very tough for me. Just my footwork was awful, and I just couldn't move my feet, even if I wanted to. It really is a nice feeling to know now I can do what I want to at least. At my height, I have to move my feet because if I'm out of position, with the length of my arms, the length of my legs, I have to be just right. So it's not like the short player (smiling).
Q. How do you feel mentally and physically at this stage of the tournament, looking forward maybe for the second week?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely at the best right now. Coming into the tournament, I felt like -- I felt good, but it's hard to come into this kind of event and know, "I'm not prepared the way I want to, but yet I have to play and I want to play, and I can play." So for me it was kind of getting over that hurdle of accepting that maybe I didn't have the preparation I would have liked.
Q. And compared with last year...
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, my gosh. Last year was tough (shaking head).
Q. As a part of your life, it seemed that years ago you wanted it more maybe. It's just my impression that now you're more relaxed. Is it true? How important is tennis to you? >
VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely No. 1.
Q. But compared like it was the years before? Did you take it more I won't say serious, but more...
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm older now and I think I understand the game more. I think I understand what it takes to be a champion. I just lost my thought, because I wanted to say something (laughter).
Okay, let me think.
You definitely go through ups and downs with injuries and with motivation, fatigue at times because the season is so long, that it's impossible for any human to be a hundred percent 11 months out of the year.
Also I think the competition level is different than maybe it was five or ten years ago when maybe Steffi was playing. Now there are players, a wide variety of rankings, that are a threat. In that way, I think it's definitely much different.
Q. So maybe is it more fun for you to play now?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Always fun. If I didn't enjoy it, I'd just have to leave it alone.
Q. What about your papa? He made life around the tour interesting. Some kind of miss the guy. Is he going to come back and stir things up?>
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know what, he was back. He was at Wimbledon last year, and then at the Nasdaq, at Amelia Island, and Charleston. Yeah, he's going to be at the Wimbledon, I think.
Q. Do you think he makes things more fun?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. My mom -- with my mom I have a lot of fun. With my dad, I have a lot of fun. One of my other sisters is here this week. We always have fun.
Q. A little down the road, but I wanted to ask you, Lisa Raymond made a comment the other day about the Olympics, the security concerns. She said if she feels the least bit worried, she's not going to go. Have you put any thought into where you would draw the line, going to Athens?>
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think the situation in the world is quite tough. These are definitely considerations that I think every athlete has thought about.
But at this point I don't think I can specifically comment on the security. I trust that it will be at the highest level.
Q. You say that you look at how you play now, how you played a couple years ago, and you're a much better player now. The public at-large will look at just results and say, "Venus must have been much better a couple years ago because she was winning then." Is that tough for you to keep everything in perspective when maybe you're looking at it one way and the public is looking at it in another way, or maybe we're looking at it in another way?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly. It's important for me just to think what I think and not necessarily taking in what the rest of the world may think. The truth of the matter is that I always won, pretty much since I've been on tour, always in finals, what have you. I wouldn't say there was necessarily a drop in my performance. A lot of injuries, I guess.
Q. I think you said earlier that you hadn't seen Serena in five weeks when you saw her here in Paris. Are you getting used to sort of not seeing your little sister for long stretches at a time?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't necessarily feel like I haven't seen her because I always talk to her. I never feel like she's far, even if she's across the world. That's how I feel.
But it's nice to see her. It's more fun.
Q. No different seeing her face to face than chatting on the phone?
VENUS WILLIAMS: We're supposed to be shopping together because she's allegedly stealing my style. She missed yesterday, though. She'll be bitter.
Q. Are you guys practicing together here or hitting with your own hitting partners?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, we hit together when we have an opportunity. Like today we had to split because of different times. On the off days, yeah.
Q. The United States will play Austria in Federation Cup in some weeks. Do you have thoughts already? Do you know if you will play?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Right, we had a tough tie, was it two years ago?
Q. Yes.
VENUS WILLIAMS: The thing about Fed Cup, it's not a guarantee because of the different kind of spirit that goes into the play. But I'd love to play. Where is it?
Q. It will be in Innsbruck, like in the Alps, a small place, wonderful place. >
VENUS WILLIAMS: Really?
Q. Better for skiing, of course.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, I've never been.
Q. But you've been in Linz.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes. But it's not the same as going to the Alps. This is Heidi style. I'm ready.
I'd love to play. Obviously, the schedule is going to be tough after Wimbledon. I'm playing a tournament also in Stanford a week after. I really will just have to see how I feel physically. I can't even guarantee that to myself right now.
Q. We would love to see you anyway.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you.
Q. Have you thought at all, looking back at the way you trained as a child, about things you could have done differently to avoid having injuries you had in the last few years? Anything you'd do over or differently?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, because we were always taught to quit when we had pain, even if it was just a little bit. I think that's one of the reasons why I don't play in pain, which is definitely a plus, because that really brings you down. I think that Serena and I get a lot more attention from our injuries because when we're gone, people seem to notice that we're gone also.
So I think it hasn't been so much of a difference that we've been injured more than the next player. I think people have just kind of talked about it or wrote about it more.
Q. You didn't have a lot of junior tennis play, so it wasn't a lot of wear and tear in terms of matches, right?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. But I think also with my body type, I'm just also kind -- besides a twisted ankle, that doesn't have anything to do with body type, that's just bad luck. But I think maybe that has something to do with it.
Q. You're clear, you would not play with pain anymore?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I'm over with that. No.
Q. Fabiola next round.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, really?
Q. Can you talk about that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Okay. I played her only twice. I played her in, where was it, Warsaw, in the first round. We got to a third set. So at least I played her recently and on clay. I should be ready for it.
Q. You're in your early 20s. What do you feel about a player like Martina Navratilova who is 24 years older than you who is still playing out there, playing pretty well?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's a popular question. She is very good in the doubles. I recall when I played her in 2000 maybe in the doubles, and she's so much better now than then.
I really just feel like I can only learn from her in whatever she does. I have not come close to reaching the level she's gone to. To criticize her would just be silly. If she can do it, if she can perform, why not?
Q. Could you imagine going on another 24 years?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, because I'll be in a body cast (laughter). Oh, my gosh, no. I don't think I'll be able to do what she's doing. It's just amazing.
Q. Perhaps the demands of the fashion world might take over by then.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Perhaps.
Q. When you did see Serena after that absence, where did you see her? What did you do?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Elevator of the hotel. She's like, "You look terrible."
I was like, "Yes, I know." I looked like a zombie. I hadn't slept on the way here because I was reading this book I couldn't put down. I could hardly understand English when I got here.
She looked cute. I said, "Oh, I like your haircut. I love it." So now I'm like, "I'm getting my hair cut." We're constantly looking at each other, saying, "Wow, I've got to pick it up now that you picked it up," that kind of thing.
Q. What is it like to see the large contingent that you have here in the stands with your mom, Serena, sisters?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It was great because I know their voices, so I know when I'm down I'm going to hear something encouraging or maybe something I can draw from, you know. Not necessarily instructions, that kind of thing, but I know that I'll hear their voices and it will be good. Just the same way Serena knows that, too.
Q. Lifts your spirits when you're out there?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly.
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Williams def. Tanasugarn
6-2 6-4
1st RD
Q. Everything looked good out there. Did everything feel good? Was there at any point in the match -- you slid a couple of times. Was there any pain?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I didn't start out sliding in the match really, especially off the backhand. You know, I was a little stressed out, too, starting out, got a slow start. But started to relax further into the match.
So far, so good. Just have to keep them short and simple.
Q. Then when you started sliding to your backhand side, experiencing any pain at all?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess if I was, I wouldn't let on.
Q. Why were you stressed out at the start?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, because just I really want to be in the event. I want to play pain-free. So I think my feet were slow. I was slow in general, making some errors. I had to kind of leave that behind in order for me to play the match.
Q. Was it difficult because you probably thought that you would be on the court sooner than you were, the match before you went so long.
VENUS WILLIAMS: My word. How long was that?
Q. More than 2 hours, 50 minutes.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. What can I say? I knew it was going to happen to me. If it's going to happen to anyone, it's going to be me (laughter).
Q. Any concern when she took three straight games?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I was okay. I was disappointed to have lost serves, first serve, a few times. But, no, I was pretty keen on closing it out there, which was important for me, I think.
Q. As a mild fashion aficionado. Any comment on your sister's outfit today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't know she was wearing pink. I thought she was still wearing the white. I haven't seen her latest fittings. I guess that's why I missed out. I don't open her packages when they come to the house. I just put them on her side. It was nice.
Q. It was nice?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.
Q. You can't miss it, can you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. But you can't miss Serena.
Q. Your fashion statement, a green checked skirt, is that correct?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes. It has a print on the bottom.
Q. Any Irish background to that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Just a little, yeah (smiling).
Q. You call that outfit of Serena's pink. I know she may have a different color in mind, I don't know. I've heard about five different colors from people who watched.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, if you're a writer, then you have to be more creative and call it something.
Q. Excellent advice, thank you.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly.
Q. What makes it such that you probably wouldn't wear something that's probably as "striking"? You would use something a little more classical?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I used to wear striking stuff back in the day. I guess that was the '90s, wasn't it? I guess I've been wearing more classy things lately. I've got a green dress, but I've been winning in that one, so I had a little bit of superstition there.
Q. What has been the evolution of the ankle? How can you describe it from when you went home? And exactly what did you do for it? How did they get it better? How long did it take?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just had the hardest time getting the swelling out. I didn't know what to do. I was passing by the treatment area and saw this sleeve, so I put the sleeve on and the sleeve saved my life.
So now, you know, the sleeve is like my best friend. I will not part with the sleeve. The sleeve was the only thing that helped me. It kind of had the compression and just pushed everything else, then I was starting to recover.
Q. When was that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Like Wednesday, last Wednesday, yeah. So I'm blessed to be here.
Q. When did you start hitting the ball?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I hit a couple days Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday I took off. Then I came here and started hitting.
Q. Yours and your sister's matches were going on simultaneously. I think your mom was at yours. Was that spoken about beforehand, that you wanted the moral support, you wanted her there?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. My mom goes to whichever match she feels she wants to go to. I kept saying to her, "Mom, Serena is going to get on before I do, so you better go talk to her before the match."
I think I did eventually get on before her. But it's tough because you don't want to stand there. I think it was about two hours. Theoretically, it could end in two games. But every other game, I was getting up and warming up again, then I'd sit down. You can't stand up two hours and anticipate warming up. So it's a tough call there.
Q. Venus, in the beginning you used to change outfits for each set. Are you going to go back to that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Probably not. I don't know.
Q. How pleased are you, generally, with your level of play?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm not in general so pleased. But I'd like to do better. It's Round 2 now.
Q. How difficult do you think it will be to get back to the level you were at when you were winning?>
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not so difficult. I just have to have confidence that I can be able to play out there and not have too much on my mind.
Q. Now that you've gotten through this match, are you inclined to take a day off in between the matches, have a light practice or not practice at all?
VENUS WILLIAMS: That would be my dad's recommendation.
Q. What was that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: He always says, "You don't need to be out there hurting yourself and killing yourself." I listen. Then I make my decision.
But, no, that sounds like my dad's advice. He says, "You're good enough to go out there. You don't have to practice." So, yes.
Q. Kind of a trade-off: you can go out and hit more balls tomorrow, but on the other side of the equation is the chance to rest the ankle a day.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly. That has been important. I don't want to be in practice, practicing hard, and then all of a sudden it's all over for me. So in the match it's really important for me to concentrate on the things I need to do, because in practice I can't necessarily run as much as I want to or move my feet as fast as I'd like. So when I get into the match, I really have to give 110% and make sure I'm on to it.
That was a challenge for me today.
Q. Martina Navratilova's match was sort of overlapping both yours and Serena's match. Would you have had any interest in watching her play if the scheduling had been any different?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I've seen her play. I've been on Fed Cup team with her just a few weeks ago. I think that's a tough job for you guys to get around and see everyone.
Did you watch it on TV?
Q. We were out there.
VENUS WILLIAMS: You were out there, losing weight, walking back and forth.
Q. What's it like to hit against her?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I only hit a few minutes against her. Really, the whole time I was hitting, I was just trying to concentrate on my game because we had a tie to play. That was all.
Q. Should she be playing at 47 in singles?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Absolutely. Absolutely. I think that she's just such a great player and just so motivated. Really, if any of us can be doing what she's doing, more power to anyone who can do it.
Q. You have that in sight for yourself?
VENUS WILLIAMS: With the injuries I have (laughter)? I'll be lucky if I can walk on two feet.
Q. Even when healthy, you've had your troubles here. What will it take, besides healing, to get over the hump here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I suppose maybe this one and the Australian Open are two of my most inconsistent Grand Slams. I don't know. I think it takes me half a year to get rolling maybe.
But I think it's just basically good play. Go out there and play well. It's as simple as that.
Q. In the past you used to hit an ace to close out the game. Is there any area where you have to improve in your game?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I would basically say everywhere. Basically everywhere. That's a simple question, simple answer.
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May
Berlin, 09 May
Interview with VENUS WILLIAMS
Q: Commiserations on what’s happened. Maybe it’s fair to say that you knew yesterday that you could not play?
WILLIAMS: I can’t say I was expecting this, but it didn’t look good.
Q: When did you know exactly?
WILLIAMS: I guess this morning or really late in the evening, I knew that I couldn’t do anything.
Q: Have the doctor’s given you any indication on when you can play again=
WILLIAMS: I don’t know. I’ll try as soon as possible.
Q: Yes, but what did the doctor say?
WILLIAMS: I have to keep weight off my leg.
Q: And what did they say on when you can play again?
WILLIAMS: I am ready today, but then I am very ambitious.
Q: Is it just the ankle or the ankle and the hip?
WILLIAMS: Just the ankle.
Q: What exactly happened to it?
WILLIAMS: Obviously I twisted it yesterday. There’s a lot of swelling. I am waiting for the test to see exactly what it is? But I am very optimistic it is only strained and nothing worse.
Q: Are you afraid for Paris?
WILLIAMS: No, I’m not afraid yet.
Q: What are your plans now?
WILLIAMS: I will go home. It was my plan to go home after this tournament, so I’ll just go home.
Q: So the French Open will be next?
WILLIAMS: Yes.
Q: I think most people can sympathize with your predicament: You have been ill, came back, now your injured again. Could you value now whether it was the right decision to come back?
WILLIAMS: I mean I was fine until that happened. If I hadn’t twisted my ankle … I had an issue with my hip, but I could have rested it and be pretty much in control. The four weeks did me good. The three sets yesterday compared to the three sets in Warsaw, I was much more in control. So, I don’t regret anything.
Q: Are you pleased to have come back and won so many matches after a slow start at the beginning of the year?
WILLIAMS: Yes, I was starting to reach my goals. Once I started moving I was starting to move very fast. I was ready and able. I am fairly sure that I’d be in the top 5.
Q: Before this injury were you playing as well as anybody?
WILLIAMS: Yes, I was playing very well. I hope this injury will clear up.
Q: So are you planning come to Paris like two days before?
WILLIAMS: I have two weeks to get myself together. I am planning on coming.
Q: What exactly did you feel on the last game against Sprem?
WILLIAMS: Yes, it hurt a lot. I had to walk it off. I’ve done my ankle before and usually it’s fine until after the match. I was fine until a few hours after the match.
Q: When exactly was it? The 3 rd point?
WILLIAMS: The 3 rd or 4 th point go the last game.
Q: When you got out of bed, what did you have to do, to hop across the room?
WILLIAMS: Yes, I am really good at that now (laughs). Once I iced it I could have it vertically
Q: Your sense of humour is still intact.
WILLIAMS: I am a laugher. Everyone knows that (laughs).
07 May
Williams - Suarez 7:6 (5), 5:7, 6:2
Q: Miss Williams, why was it that tough?
WILLIAMS: It was just a tough day. I didn't get as many balls in as I wanted to. So, it was good I
came out with a win. It was okay. But nothing was really working.
Q: The conditions were pretty difficult and it was quite windy.
WILLIAMS: No, it wasn't too windy.
Q: Did you win because you battled?
WILLIAMS: Yes, I suppose so. But it wasn't working: My shots were either too short or too long. I
didn't find the middle ground.
Q: So is it just a match to get past it?
WILLIAMS: Yes, exactly. A match to forget and carry on tomorrow.
Q: Did you mind not playing on the Centre Court?
WILLIAMS: No, I didn't mind. It could have been worse; it could have rained.
Q: The conditions are heavy.
WILLIAMS: Maybe it's even better, because when it gets too dry you don't know where the ball is
going to bounce and which way to go.
Q: You said a few days ago that you were working on staying calmer. Did that help today?
WILLIAMS: Yes, it was pretty good. I was quite calm today.
Q: Does a tough match like today make you more eager and wanting to concentrate better?
WILLIAMS: Definitely. It makes you want the next one be better. I don't want the same
appearance as today tomorrow. So, I want to satisfy myself and play better
Q: Your opponent tomorrow is fairly new. Do you know something about her?
WILLIAMS: No.
Q: So if you don't know your opponent do you just play your own game?
WILLIAMS: Yes and hopefully I will play to win. Obviously she must be a good player to come so
far.
Q: Have you talked to anybody after the match?
WILLIAMS: No, not really.
Q: How do you feel after such a long match?
WILLIAMS: I feel okay. We will see tomorrow. I always wonder how long I was out there. The
time just passes.
Q: This is the longest winning streak since 2001. Does this mean anything to you?
WILLIAMS: Oh, that's good.
Q: Did it help a little bit that the court was slow?
WILLIAMS: Maybe. I wasn't able to move it; every other ball was an error.
Berlin
5/5
Interview with VENUS WILLIAMS
Williams – Danilidou 7:5, 6:3
Q: That was a good match, wasn’t it?
WILLIAMS: Yes, it was.
Q: It didn’t really look like a claycourt match.
WILLIAMS: Oh, yes it did. I recall a point, I almost missed, hit it again, it went in, then she played the ball back …
I was a little off today. But I was able to raise my game at the right times. I was able to move. The longer I was playing the more I felt that I will win. So, that’s really nice.
Q: I guess it was important to win that first set?
WILLIAMS: I think so. There was a point where I couldn’t get my serve over the net. I really had to focus and think what I was doing wrong. I had to take the pace off. But there are days like that when things get really weird. I could see she too was struggling with her serve. I think we both did good for the crowd.
Q: Have you heard about the bombs in Athens? Has this caused you to have second thoughts about the Olympics?
WILLIAMS: Yes, I heard about it, but I don’t really watch TV. I live in that world which is tennis only (laughs).
Q: But does it bother you?
WILLIAMS: It definitely got caught in my head. I heard that the Olympics are a really great event and it’s sad that people use it for selfish issues. I guess the security will be really tight.
Q: Do you think it will be tight enough to make you safe?
WILLIAMS: I hope so, for everyone. For you too. The world’s really going crazy.
Q: You keep moving forward: Is it a question of more matches or rather of having the right number of matches?
WILLIAMS: I am glad I had the opportunity to play this many matches and to play four weeks in a row. I am feeling good. Nothing is bothering me. I am able to move faster and faster.
Q: How do you compare that match to some of the ones recently?
WILLIAMS: I think in comparison, I was a little off. I think I played some of my best matches at FedCup, but as far as overall, I am feeling a lot better now. I got my notes and my checklist, so I have to tick it off.
Q: You and Serena have won a couple of tournaments. Do you think that Serena and you without the injuries will secure the No. 1 and 2 spots?
WILLIAMS: We had some issues. But with our desire, ability and with us being willing to work hard, there is no reason for us not to retain the positions. We’ll keep on fighting.
Five minutes with American superstar Venus Williams
Just a girl that works hard
What was your first thought when you saw the draw for the 1. round of fed cup. Or the opportunity to explore new countries?
I was happy about the draw. I wanted to come here. I like exploring new countries, especially the ones that most people don’t know much about. Most Americans wouldn’t visit Slovenia as tourists so this is very exciting for me. And exotic. It’s very nice here.
Little less than a week ago you lifted another trophy after more than 14 – month draught. Did you feel anything like when you first won a tournament?
I was very happy to have won again, especially since I have lost the first set to Conchita Martinez. I’m doing better day by day, that’s also my goal in my career, always up. Even though in Charleston it was very different than my first tournament win, when I was telling myself, “oh god, this is my first final”, I was well aware that I had many experience with such situations and I used that experience well.
Were you very disappointed when your return to tour didn’t go as well as planned?
Even after my return in Australia I had problems with injuries, so it wasn’t easy for me at all. I have to be always careful because of that, but that’s what sport is like.
Did you follow tennis while you were injured?
So so, not too much. I only concentrate on mine and Serena’s results and nothing else. I watched some matches on TV, because I enjoy it, but I didn’t go to any tournaments.
What is your opinion on the Belgian players Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters, that took the throne while you and your sister were away?
The thing they achieved is not only good for them but also for their country. One thing is most important: you don’t reach the top if you don’t deserve it. Work is hard, but they both endured it and got what they worked for in the end.
Will Williams sisters rule tennis again?
We are on the way towards it, but we have played only few tournaments this year so it wasn’t possible so far. But we are working on it.
Your team colleague is Martina Navratilova, 47 years old. Can you see yourself in tennis at that age?
No, because my game will not be as good when I’m that old. Martina is unbelievable, very disciplined, trains hard and is still prepared well enough so she can compete. I won’t be in that kind of form at 47, because I don’t have that kind of discipline and I will surely eat to much sweets. I can’t now, but when I finish my career, I will eat many. All the time.
Are you now, when you are returning to tennis 100% focused on it or do you have time for hobbies?
I am always totally committed to tennis, but I can’t focus only on it, I have to distribute my energy. I have to be in motion all the time, perform many different tasks, otherwise I would be bored. I have enough time for it because I can’t be still for even a moment.
You are one of the most influential, successful and wealthy female athletes or women in the world. How do you feel with all the superlatives?
As a girl that works hard. No differently. I don’t know why, that’s just the way it is. Every moment when I wake up it’s the same thing – hard practice. But it’s my job.
Your next goal is probably 1. place of the world rankings where you once were?
Sure. My first goal is always to win the next match awaiting me. I won’t get to the top of WTA rankings tomorrow or next week, it will take me some tournaments.
Family Circle Cup
Venus Williams defeated Conchita Martinez
2-6, 6-2, 6-1
Sunday, April 18, 2004
AMY BINDER: Questions for your 2004 Family Circle Cup Champion.
Q. Well, you did it. You broke the drought. Are we going to see you run on like Henin-Hardenne did last year?
VENUS WILLIAMS: That's what I'd love to do. I really just had a wonderful tournament and I'm so excited.
Q. How gratifying is it to do this your first trip here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't even think of that until they said it out there. I was like, oh, that's not bad. It's not bad. It's such a huge event and such great players, and Conchita's been in this final so many times and won it a couple times, and you know that she's an expert at what she does, so there are a lot of factors in there that make me feel good.
Q. What would you say you did differently the last two sets adjustment wise than you did in the first?
VENUS WILLIAMS: The first set I wasn't moving forward enough, and I just really was making too many mistakes, and just that second set from the first point I wanted to turn it around, and I really just started moving in and coming to the net. And actually when I was coming in, I felt really good up there, so I didn't stop. I just kept it going.
Q. Still trying to come back from injury, how gratifying is it to win for the first time in a while?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's nice because it's been really difficult for me and challenging, and even this week with injuries, and it's just been really rewarding to have this title under my belt.
Q. Venus, you've mentioned twice this week how great the crowd was to you, and you made it sound like this has been unique for you. Can you describe what's been so different that you made a point of talking about that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Everybody has been so wonderful. Everyone has been such a huge fan. I've never played in front of such a crowd that was so supportive of me.
Q. Venus, what are the crowds usually like, and what's the support usually like at other places you go?
VENUS WILLIAMS: A lot of times I can be playing somewhere and it's right in the United States, and I can be playing someone who I don't even know how to pronounce her name, and you know, the crowd is very much rooting for the other player, so for me it's very unusual to come to a place and really everyone is just showing a lot of support.
Q. Do you think part of that might be because they want to see a longer match or --
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know.
Q. -- maybe want to see a three-set match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I have no idea.
Q. When you're in a crowd like that, what keeps you going and motivated and sticking with it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: All the advice I'm getting from the fans. You mean like this crowd?
Q. Well, no. When it's not like this, when you don't have the support and you're out there, and you know, it's pretty much you. I mean is your family in the audience or --
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm so focused, and I'm so pretty well trained. So that really does it for me.
Q. Venus, are you 100 percent back, or you know, if you're not, what percent are you would you say right now?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I couldn't even name a percentage on it. I think there's a lot of points where I've played really well, and I think there are some points where I've played, you know, below what I'd like to be at. I think right now it's just going to be very important for me to stay on an even plane and play each point very consistently and very Venus.
Q. Yesterday you increased your service speed and the amount of times you attacked the net as the match went on and today you did it the same way. Were you it working into your game as you went along through the match and decided to come to the net more because of it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't actually get to see the stats a lot, but I do realize when I do come in a lot. With the service speed I'm not always paying as much attention to because I'm more or less thinking about placement, and sometimes when they're coming big, it's just that they're coming big.
Q. Well, yesterday one thing I noticed was that you were serving second serves in the 90s, which probably made you feel very comfortable with where you were in the second set and that you were going to win that one, but also that you were trying to use part of your game that is important for you to step up and be in the top tier. Is that what you feel like you have to do with your second serve is to get it in the high 80s and 90s?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely think so. I don't like to see any of my second serves in the 70s. I like to make my second serve an asset instead of a liability, so this week has actually been a very good week for my whole serve and my whole second serve also.
Q. How much of that was mental after that first set the way you really came storming back?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just was so disappointed that I had given away the first set, and it was just really disappointing for me. I wanted to at least contest the match and not give it all away. So that second set I just wanted to make sure I lifted my game and be proud of what I was doing out there.
Q. And you did that all week, I thought. You surged. As your opponent's game got slower, a step slower, your speed of the pace on the ball you were sending back over the net quickened, and I was wondering if that's your secret weapon. As your opponent wore down, it was almost you got more powerful, and even today in I think it was the second set you were up 3-0 and your grunts got louder, you were setting up earlier and you were just teeing off on the ball.
VENUS WILLIAMS: She's a good player and she changed her game plan throughout the match. Sometimes she'd hit harder and sometimes she slowed it up and hit the moon balls, and I think what was key for me was not to rush and to definitely play my game and to try to move forward. Any time I started rushing I started missing a few, so...
Q. Venus, do you think American tennis fans are less prone to think about who's from their country when they pick who to root for than other fans from other countries do?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I definitely think so. We aren't -- I think the difference is that we have so many stars in this country, whereas, if you go to a smaller country, they've got one or two or three stars and they're always on that side of that. So we're spoiled here with famous people and achievers.
Q. So Venus, are you going to take Serena out to dinner or anything for suggesting that you come here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: She's taking me out to dinner.
Q. Did you rub it in at all like my kids would have done because she hadn't won and then you won in your first time. My kids would be going at it right now.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, no. No. Your kids need to talk to Serena and I. Not at all.
Q. One other question. Your father and you are very close, again, at an age when most people are growing apart. Why are you so close to your father would you say?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think because we were really raised to be close as a family is the first part. And the second part is you only get one dad, and you know, if your dad makes mistakes or if I make mistakes, that couldn't get in the way of any relationship that I have. It's just like, what's that song, it's too late when you die or something like that. Remember that one? To admit you don't see eye to eye.
Q. "The Living Years" by Mike and The Mechanics.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not that it's all like that. So if he tells me to bend my knees, I don't like get upset.
Q. Can you talk to my son?
Q. You're not going to rub it in just a little to Serena?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. In fact, she congratulated me, and she really just helped me out there to be able to win that match.
Q. Venus, I'm curious, I'm told that you've been getting these gifts, I've been asking you. Can I get anything any opinion on what you've been getting?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I got a bracelet today with sapphires. I think it was white gold, and yesterday I think I got a DVD player, portable. And then I got a basket of body products, like oils and things like that, and I got a purse and I got a watch. What else did I get? I got two purses actually. I don't remember the other things.
Q. Is this the kind of thing normally that happens on the WTA Tour?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. No, not at all. I think the bracelet was saved for the finals, for the last two players possibly. But no. It was very nice.
Q. So is it safe to say this is in your experience the best tournament that gives gifts?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I like the tournament because I like it. Even if they gave me gifts, if I didn't like the event, I wouldn't come back. I like it here because it's a great place.
Q. Safe to say you're coming back?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm coming back.
Q. Venus, you heard about what happened with Patty Schnyder and Martinez yesterday in their match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. What happened?
Q. Schnyder thought that she was taking too long between points trying to retrieve the ball that she'd used to win a service point. Did you notice her taking any extra time out there today? It didn't seem to bother you, but did you notice it at all?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she took more time than -- she took the allotted time and she never went to -- she never got a time warning during the play, so if you're not getting warnings, then it's all legal.
Q. Does that affect your play at all? I noticed you were out there first. All week you've been out there early just waiting, and you seemed to focus and wait patiently. How does that affect you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's fine. My mom told me never be second. Be first. Be ready. Be the first one.
Q. She did. Why?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Because you don't want to be the -- what did she call it, end tails or musset.
Q. The hind part. You don't want to be the hind part?
VENUS WILLIAMS: My grandmother said that. You don't want to be the last one.
Venus Williams defeated Jelena Kostanic
6-4, 6-1
Saturday, April 17
AMY BINDER: Venus is actually going to make an opening statement about her match today. And you can follow up with questions.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I feel great about getting to the finals of this event, my first clay court of the year, first finals of the year. Also love Charleston, had a great time with the fans, and really just looking forward to taking another step tomorrow.
Q. How badly did you want to end that 14-month drought since the last time you've won? I mean how big would a win be to you in terms of your comeback and everything?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't even see it that way. I just see it more or less as a final, and for me it's very good to be here.
Q. Venus, is it kind of different having to play a left- hander? Do you prepare a little differently or is it the same game plan no matter righty or lefty?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely pretty much the same game plan, but it is pretty important to realize that they are left-handed, I mean when it comes down to deciding which side you're going to throw the lob up to. So it's important.
Q. Do you feel like you're moving better as you keep progressing, sliding better?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm trying.
Q. How does the ankle feel? Everything feeling all right?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm okay. Thanks.
Q. She was talking about early in the match when you started creeping in inside the baseline on the return of service. She said that she noticed that, and she said I think players do get intimidated, you know, the fact that you can do that, you can really force things that way. Do you think you get inside players' heads when you do that? Do you think players get tense when you can return serve so far inside the baseline?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I suppose the whole point of the game is to apply pressure and to not make mistakes and to play better than your opponent. So that's really what I'm doing out there is applying pressure the whole time.
Q. How much pressure on you tomorrow being as you haven't won for 14 months?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I actually don't feel any pressure. Just want to go out there and play really well and play better, and I actually do mean that I want to play better with each match.
Q. Do you feel like you played better today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I tried a lot. I'm very happy to have won the match today.
Q. Do you care who you play tomorrow?
VENUS WILLIAMS: The higher ranked players would be nice.
Q. Why?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Because then
it helps my ranking. I don't know who's higher ranked, though. Probably Patty maybe.
Q. Talk about what it's like to play against Patty. She's obviously kind of a changeup type player.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I think I've played her on clay before. I don't quite remember now, but played her a number of times, and I'm sure she'll be eager to get a win against me, and obviously I'm very eager to get a win against her.
Q. Jelena said experience played a big deal, her lack of experience played a big deal today. I mean when you play somebody who's I don't think ever played you before who's playing a Tier I semifinal for the first time, can you sense their nervousness or do you take advantage of that at all?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely at this point sense a lot of what my opponent's going through. Just even through experience, I should be able to relate to maybe what the next person is feeling. But all in all when I'm out there, I'm definitely concentrating on my method of success.
Q. You were saying this is your first clay tournament this year?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.
Q. Did you have any expectations coming into the first clay tournament of the season and have you exceeded them, have you met them?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I guess my expectations was try to stay healthy more than anything.
Q. Earlier in the week I asked you about the gifts, and I think at that time you said you hadn't opened anything you'd been given by the tournament. Is the status the same with that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I'm going to work on it today.
Q. Will you tell me perhaps tomorrow?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly. I will. I'll be ready.
Q. Okay. I will too.
Q. Venus, I just wonder being out and around in Charleston this week have you run into any of these Confederate re-enactors around town?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. Why do they have reenactments?
Q. They're burying some sailors who were brought up with the HUNLEY. That's a Confederate submarine that sank off the coast here. And they're burying them today. There are like thousands of Rebel re-enactors in town. You haven't run across any of them?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No.
|
Venus Williams on her win over Vera Zvonareva
6-3, 6-4
Friday, April 16
Q. You started out with you had four aces, and they ranked in speed from the high 80s up to the 108, 109 miles an hour. Did that have anything to do with the secret weapon you were talking about the other night?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, no. Come on. There's no secret weapon. I'm just playing as hard as the next person, and I'm just trying to supplement my game with extra stuff, but no, I'm hoping to serve even more aces in the match.
Q. The speed change is what I was particularly interested in, especially with clay. Somebody was telling me it's like a chess match out there compared to the hard court, which is where your power comes into effect. Can you talk about that a little bit?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. You do hit a few extra balls, and sometimes you try to hit the ball deep and next one short and next one at an angle and definitely think about the placement a little bit more because there's more time out there. But other than that, I still stick to my normal game and not really change too much.
Q. On to the semifinals and looking at the bracket there, you and if Lindsay wins will be only two of the Top 10 players seeded here. Talk about, I guess, the lack of Top 10 seeds being there.
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's been a good tournament. Obviously there's been some unforeseen circumstances, but that's life. You always have to be ready for plan B, C and D.
Q. Venus, it seemed like in the second set when you were able to get the break back and even at 4-4 that really seemed to turn the momentum in your favor. Did you feel that at the time?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I was a little bit disappointed that I had been in that situation, but at that point all I could do was try to rectify it, and she was playing well and she's a good player and very determined. So I definitely had to be on top of my game and not really anything below.
Q. You looked pretty upset at one point in the second set. Was there something wrong or were you just frustrated?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Do I look upset?
Q. You looked really upset, looked like you were about to cry.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, shocker. Well, I don't know. I don't quite remember that point in the match, so --
Q. She double faulted twice, you know, after she got the early break, and then she double faulted on set point. When you see people doing that, do you think they're stressed out? Do you feel like you have them at that point? I mean those are obviously huge points to double fault.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. It's hard these days on court. You have to play well, and I think I was putting a lot of pressure on her serve and her second serve. So maybe -- I don't want to talk too much, but that was probably, you know, her alternative.
Q. Three matches this year, how good do you feel going into Saturday?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I always want to be better. What I'm trying to do these days is take the positive out of my matches and not really focus so much on what I could have done better or the mistakes that I made because then I get too bogged down and I take that into the next match instead of taking a really positive outlook. So what I'll do is just focus on all the good things I did and focus on that tomorrow.
Q. At the same time I think this is your first match where you won in straight sets.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Here?
Q. Yeah. Here.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh. Maybe not.
Q. Venus, since some of the seeds have been taken out at the top of the draw, do you consider yourself a favorite now to win?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just really want to do well for myself. And to be honest, in the thought process, I don't consider myself a favorite at any tournament. I consider myself the one who has to fight harder than the next person. I think as long as I'm thinking that, I'll be fine.
Q. How close do you think you are to playing what you normally consider your best? Are people intimidated the way they once were with you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't think anyone exactly comes and says, yes, I'm really happy that I'm going to be playing Venus. I don't think it's that way, but I think a lot of players probably think, wow, maybe I can get a win against her now. But I think that a lot of points I am playing well, and then there are some points where I haven't played as well as I could and I'm just going to focus on definitely playing each point more consistently than the last one.
Q. You overcame early breaks in both sets. Did you feel like, especially at the run at the end of the second set that you were playing more at the level of your potential right now?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just -- I don't know. No. I really felt like I could have played a lot better, but then I played a really good player and she played some good points and she had some good lobs when I came into the net, so it was a challenge out there, but I definitely would like to even just take it from there and go play better.
Q. Do you think people are more confident against you now than they might have been before?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess you'd have to ask them, but really when I step out there on the court, my main focus is me, and whether the next person is confident or not just doesn't affect how I'm hitting the ball. So as long as I'm confident and hitting the ball, I'm really okay.
Q. In that way do you play -- it's my perception that you usually play pretty much the same way against everybody, that you don't worry a whole lot about counter punching what other people do. Is that a fair description?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it's important to recognize your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, but definitely I feel that my game is strong enough that I don't have to go out there and change it for any player that I do play.
Q. Were you concerned at all about the quick turnaround from an evening match to early afternoon?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I like the day matches. So I was happy to be on at day.
Q. The sun doesn't bother you at all? When you're serving into the sun at all didn't bother you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Sometimes, but I'm a professional tennis player. No excuses. You have to get out there and I have to play. Sometimes you're a little bit blinded after serving in the sun, but you have to keep playing the point; and she's playing under the same conditions I am.
Q. Are you healthy now? In your mind are you healthy now?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's hard, but I'm trying.
Q. The other day you talked about you said, even in the last six months the depth in women's tennis has certainly improved a lot. Who would you actually go pay to see play a match? I know you don't have to, but --
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I don't have to pay. What?
Q. Neither do I, but my point is that like maybe are there players you enjoy watching just for the sheer love of the game, hey, I'd like to go watch her play?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just really love women's tennis, to be honest, and I like watching everyone play, just to see people compete against each other, and not necessarily even to scout players or what have you. I just like to see women's tennis matches. So for me all the matches are good. I'm kind of biased maybe.
Q. What about the men when you're at a mixed event?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, men's tennis is awesome, too, but I really only watch the women.
Q. There's a general disappointment that Serena's not playing, that Henin-Hardenne and the other players have dropped out. If you're a big fan of women's tennis, does that make this week less exciting for you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I don't think so. I think the tournament is wonderful. We have a wonderful facility, and there's a lot of exciting matches, and definitely opportunity to see two Americans in the final. So I think there's a lot of things that are definitely happening here.
Q. Is there a sense of relief that, oh, I don't have to meet Serena in the final?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really because I would like to get there first, so why be worried about something that hasn't happened yet?
Q. The crowd was pretty well behind you today, I mean squarely behind you, and you talked about how they cheer for you a lot down here, you like to play. Did that help you at all, because the match was -- you were down, I think, 3-1 in the second match and then 4-2 you came charging back with two breaks to take it all. Did the crowd have any effect helping you with that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Everyone was so positive, saying "Venus don't let up" and "go get her" and what have you, and I've never played in front of a crowd that's really, really been so behind me ever, and it's almost to the point, okay, how do I deal with this? So it's definitely -- definitely nice.
Q. One person in the crowd today was Serena. I mean did she say anything to you this morning or did she talk to you at all, and could you hear her cheering for you out there?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I always hear her because I know her voice.
Q. Did she say anything to you before the match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. She just said, "remember what I told you yesterday," and that was all.
Q. Is it hard when you're -- I mean when you're good enough that people are constantly rooting for your opponent, you know, and you made it sound like this was a rather unique situation for you today.
VENUS WILLIAMS: It is. I always -- of course, I don't expect everyone to be a Venus Williams fan, go Venus. Everyone has to have their favorites, and that's what makes women's tennis women's tennis. But I've never played in front of a crowd that the majority of people wanted me to win I felt like. So like I said, I had to adjust.
Q. Do you think that was because of the injury? I mean I know McEnroe was loved at the end.
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. Serena told me, like last year she came here and everyone was definitely for her, and I was like, "Wow, Serena, that's great."
Q. Are you coming back next year with your sister?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I want to. I want to make it a priority.
END OF INTERVIEW
Thursday, April 15
Venus def Mikaelian 6-4, 6-1
6-4, 6-1
Q. Did you find it hard to get in a rhythm early on?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I -- yeah. Maybe. I just was missing a few shots, and I just really continued to try to elevate the level of my game and to really play at the potential that I know I can play at, and then once I leave the court, I can be at least happy with my game. If I leave off the court and I haven't performed the way I have, then I just can't let it go. So now I did better and I can let it go and I'm going on to the next match.
Q. Did you feel any pressure with Serena dropping out of the tournament, like you had to carry the family torch?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. Sometimes it's easy to think of it that way. I love playing in the same events with her. I love having her here. We've had so much fun here. We've gone shopping together and we've just been doing everything together, and I usually spend the night in her room. So yes, that could be like a little bit of a factor, but in the end I'm out there on the court on my own and she's out there on her own and we've gotta do our separate things.
Q. Did you get any words of encouragement before your match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. She did. She said, "You're the best and no one can beat you." Quote, unquote.
Q. Was she here tonight? She said she was going to be a cheerleader.
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I didn't talk to her since this morning, since 10, and I didn't think she should come out.
Q. What was your reaction to the fact she had to drop out and that her knee is not doing real well?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Usually I have a little bit of an inside scoop. So I know before you guys do. But really was an ambitious schedule. Really is a schedule that she committed to before 2004. So normally if she had been healthy, she would have played that schedule, and she tried to stick to it, but coming from a surgery -- or coming even from just being off, if you try to play that much, your body just doesn't -- it says no, because it happened to me just this year also. My body said "no, Venus," and I had to listen to it.
Q. Can you just tell her we appreciate her trying?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'll tell her.
Q. And appreciate her bringing you here too this year.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you.
Q. You started out with a 6-4 win and looked like it was going to be another match like earlier in the week, and then all of a sudden you exploded again. It looked like you heated up a little quicker. Can you talk about that, your slow start and then that slow start seems to be --
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I think my service games were good, and I think on my return games I was trying -- going for too much, and finally at 5-4 I was thinking, okay, Venus, just take some off, because each return game I was making two and three errors off the return, and that makes it harder to break. So finally I took some off and then was more aggressive in the rally, and finally in the second set I started to find more range and I could gradually go for more. So for me it was the return games that was key because the service games were easier for me to hold tonight.
Q. Is this now your tournament to lose do you think? Do you think you're the favorite now?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, I don't know. I'm just a loan warrior.
Q. I saw your -- what you said about your service, the speed range from 86 and a lull all the way up into the 110 plus. It looked like you were even varying your speed, flipping, as you say, more than you did earlier in the week.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. Today my serve did go a little off in the middle of the match. I was just hitting second serve after second serve after second serve, and it's too much pressure. So I was trying to get my first serve back in basically, and I think the last two service games were good. So I did pick it back up, and now what I need to do is just keep it always at one level.
Q. As far as the match length goes, is it the quicker the better early on, kind of keep fuel in the tank?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. "The Apprentice" is on at nine, and Serena told me she had to be there. My physio wrote me a note saying, "I have a family emergency. I must leave at 8." No. I'm going to be out there as long as it takes, whatever it takes, just like the other day. But I am glad that I was able to play better because I am used to these kinds of results.
Q. Venus, next week you won't be a loan warrior. You'll be with your teammates in the Fed Cup. Does anybody know who's going to replace Serena at this point?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I have no idea. Have to talk to the captain.
Q. And one more thing on Fed Cup. For you is it kind of as important? Is it right up there with Slams and capturing the Cup? Where does it sort of fit in as a priority for you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I really try to play as much as I can. It's not always possible because of just my commitments off of the court and things that I have to do and need to do, but I definitely try to go, and I love Billie Jean and I love Zina, the new captain, so makes it easier for me to want to go, too.
And honestly I learn so much. It's like a whole week of practice and then some matches on the weekend. Throughout the week you're just getting better and better. And it's nice to hear something different, like I've been working with Mom and Dad all this time, but sometimes someone else can say it a little bit differently or you can be a little bit more inspired, so it's good.
Q. Venus, they named the club court after Althea Gibson this morning. Can you give me what your best memory is of Althea? I know you guys met with her a couple of times, and what did she mean to you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I didn't know her that well. She was really a private person, and growing up I grew up a little more like knowing Zina and Lori and things like that, and so I didn't know Althea as much.
Q. This tournament, from what I've been told, they give rather nice gifts to the players. Is there anything you've gotten this week?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I haven't been picking up my gifts.
Q. You haven't been picking them up?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No.
Q. When you do, will you let us know?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Okay.
Q. I can pick them up for you. Back to the Althea question, I mean is it important that she's honored here? I mean she was born in South Carolina. How important is it that she be honored here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it's important just to recognize the heritage and history of the sport, no matter what race or color anyone is. So I really have kind of been a tennis history buff, but I think everyone loves and appreciates what she's done and what she achieved and what she stood for.
Q. Did Serena design your outfit?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. It's a Diane Von Furstenberg, and I think it's a playoff one of her first prints like in the 70s. So I had nothing to do with this one.
Q. What's the shade of green called?
VENUS WILLIAMS: "Venus."
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
VENUS WILLIAMS (w) vs. SAMANTHA REEVES
4-6, 6-4, 6-3
Q. That was some welcome to Charleston. What happened that first set?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, definitely a slow start. I had a good service game to start out with, but I've been trying some new things in practice and I was trying to take them out to the match, and I just started missing big time and then I started to get fairly disgusted. And by that time it was a set and 0-3, so I had to find a way to calm down and really work it through. But I just didn't want to stop trying my new techniques and my new strategies, so I did keep going throughout the match and it just got better and better.
Q. What other new techniques distracted you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I can't share that with you because it's supposed to give me an edge with the rest of the players, know, so I started to play better, but I also started to rush a little bit. I think if I would have just calmed down, just hit the shot, I just feel that I could have been more superior today.
Q. You were down a set and a half, and all of a sudden I noticed your father showed up into the box and it looked like there was a lot of eye contact. And your family is close and this is legendary, your footwork improved all of a sudden. It was almost perfect. You were arranging the court like the four-time Grand Slam champion you are and hitting down on the ball. Can you talk a little bit about the effect your father had when he showed up?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. Actually he got there like I think 2-5, so I started to get some more balls in. I think at one point there I hit like ten errors in a row, and that wasn't good. What I need to do is just learn, and I think it's good for me to have matches like this and have a great battle and enjoy the competition, enjoy the fight and get out there the next day and just enjoy it and learn from it and not make the same mistake twice.
Q. It seems to be common for these first round matches for a lot of players, they have a little trouble in the first rounds and then they're able to go through quite nicely. Is there any way to explain why that is? Is it the new surface, the new settings?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know about everyone else, but today it was definitely me, and I think when I first got out there, she was playing quite normal, and throughout the match as she got more confident, then she started to lift her game and really play. And once you get to 4-4 in the second set or 4-4 in the third set, then it starts to be -- it doesn't matter if you're maybe No. 1 or No. 200, as long as the person you're playing as the confidence is going for, then it's a different ball game.
Q. Any comment on Henin-Hardenne's withdrawal this morning?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not at all. No comment. Just hope she gets better.
Q. Do you notice the wind down there on the court? I mean you can tell it up in the stands and everything, but does it affect you guys on the court?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. In a few shots it did. It blew the ball away from me or into me, and especially on the serve you do have to try to wait until the wind dies down a little bit or else it starts to move your toss around. But other than that, pretty much fine with the wind.
Q. What's it like being here in Charleston playing in the Family Circle Cup?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It just seems like everybody's a fan.
I'm like, oh, my gosh. People are so nice here. And it's just my first or second day here. So I'm looking forward to the rest of the time I'm here.
Q. Getting back to the game again, initially your serves were 101, 104 and then all of a sudden they jumped up to 111,. You had a second serve in at 107 when you just started to take over the match. Can you talk a little bit, was that something that happened when the sun went down or did you say, we go?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know what happened there. They just started to come in harder. I just wanted to serve well, and I think throughout the match that's something that was fairly consistent with my serve. I had a couple of bad service games in the match, but started to go well. If I was losing it, it was off the ground I think more or less.
Q. Now, will you change pace more than your sister does where a little bit I saw of that where she pounds, pounds, pounds and then today a few times you were changing pace?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I like to change it up. I like to flip the script, but if it's working, possibly I should keep with the same thing. If it's not, I like to change it.
Q. Have you noticed that maybe since the late 90s or so the depth in women's tennis, do you notice it being a little tougher?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that women take a lot of pride in each match that they play. I think each top player comes out and gives 100 percent each time, along with all the other players also. I think that the depth has definitely raised a lot within even just the last six months. I also know that if I don't go out there and play my best and play well, I won't see the next day in a draw.
END OF INTERVIEW
Nasdaq100
3/31
E. DEMENTIEVA/V. Williams
6-3, 5-7, 7-6
An interview with:
VENUS WILLIAMS
THE MODERATOR: Questions for Venus, please.
Q. How is your ankle feeling?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm okay, thank you.
Q. Despite the result, how do you think you did?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, I was okay. I definitely felt like I could play better. I definitely felt like she played some of her best tennis. That was really good for her.
Q. Seemed like right after that you were out for a couple minutes with the ankle injury, you came back and played so well. What was up with that? Why do you play so well?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just kept trying to play better, I think. I lifted my game a little bit in the second set and, you know, I just couldn't -- I didn't have any room for errors today. I couldn't make mistakes. She was just playing so well.
Q. Did the ankle affect you much after you hurt it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I just had to keep playing as if nothing was bothering me if I was going to stay out on the court. That's really what I tried to do.
Q. You had a chance to put it away. I think you had several double-faults.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. It was sunny and the wind kept blowing and my toss got crazy. So, you know, that was not good.
Q. Could you have imagined serving six straight faults?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Really? I don't remember that.
Q. After the match Elena said on television, "After the medical break, I was thinking she was a good actress because she was moving so much better than before."
VENUS WILLIAMS: Maybe I should talk to her. I clearly twisted my ankle and I had issues there. If that's the way she feels, that's fine. These days, in order to be a champ and to be a winner, you have to play under all circumstances and I think that's what I did.
Q. Where do you think you are now? You've had an up and down year. Australia started okay. Then you've had injuries. You're not the Venus we've known, but where do you stand?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Just on the up and up.
Q. You feel it's coming?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Uh-hmm.
Q. The injury, right when it happened did you think that was it? Did you think you'd be able to play? How much was it excruciating at that moment?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just felt like maybe I could walk it off and I was going to try to play that point. Then I realized, "Okay, I need to get some kind of treatment or attention." So then after that I was able to get those two points quickly to win that set. That was nice for me.
Q. Did the ankle injury get worse as it went on? Or towards the end, did fatigue set in?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I just tried to ignore it. No, I didn't get tired at all.
Q. What's your schedule?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm just gonna go play the Family Circle Cup.
Q. Then Europe?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.
Q. Rome?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports…
3/29
V. WILLIAMS/F. Schiavone
6-1, 6-3
An interview with: Venus Williams
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Well, tell me how you feel it went today, how you're feeling.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think overall my game was better tonight. I would have liked to have a higher first serve percentage, but my second serve was effective. I feel like whenever I needed to really put pressure with my serve, I would do that.
That was good. I was playing for sure a really good player. She's very consistent. She's a fighter. She never says die. That was good for me to get out there and really make a point of getting through that match.
Q. Better percentage at the net tonight, about 78 percent?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, great, great. I think that I got a lot of short balls today so I came in on them. I was doing well at the net. I felt good at the net. I've been practicing my volleys. That was that (smiling).
Q. Does Billie Jean King still talk to you and encourage you about coming to the net?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I always get messages from her, e-mails. She's so sweet. She's such a role model. Such a great coach. Of course she's always saying, "Get in there, get in there." I'm hearing the same thing, of course, from my dad. I suppose I can't give up on a baseline game.
Q. You've got the wing span for it.
VENUS WILLIAMS: For sure, for sure. I've got to go.
Q. Reduced the unforced errors tonight, too, from 21 to 15.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, great, great. I felt like I made less errors. I think I could have made even less errors than that. There were a few games where I did make a few errors. I had to realize that and then kind of rein myself back in.
Q. Do you feel like you're better able to take more risks now? You said the first match or so you were taking risks and it's not working. Is it working better for you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I have to take risks. That's my game. Any time I try to get involved in playing safe, that's foreign for me. That's not my game, that's not my style. I don't succeed that way. For me, it's about taking risks in a controlled manner. As long as I'm playing my game, I'm fine.
Q. What did you do when you first started thinking about coming back, what did you do to prep for your return? What have you been doing, is it different from before?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Different?
Q. Like are you working on your net game more? Are you training in a different way in order to keep your fitness level up so you don't get injured again?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. Pretty much the same regimen, just hope and pray not to be injured in the near future.
Q. You said your dad's telling you to come to the net more. What else is he talking to you about?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, always the same thing. My dad's really technical. But he was happy in today's match. He said, "Is that Venus? Is that Venus? I don't know that Venus." So that was nice (smiling).
Q. That's good.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.
Q. Serena wore your earrings today.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Which ones?
Q. The hoops.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Gold?
Q. That have the dangles, silver.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Are those mine? She said they were mine?
THE MODERATOR: You gave them to her. She said "her sister."
VENUS WILLIAMS: Lyn. Lyn gave those to her, yeah.
Q. Good clarification.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.
Q. I don't think Lyn's getting them back.
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, those are Lyn's -- like Lyn and I, we both wear long, dangly earrings. They weren't mine. They looked good on court.
Q. Yes, they did. How many of your sisters are here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, there was Lyn, Isha. Isha left, and she's coming back tomorrow. Lyn's still here, so all of us are pretty much here by tomorrow.
Q. Dementieva is up next.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm ready. I'm ready, yeah. With each match I'm looking forward to succeeding in everything that I try, and you know, of course get out there and play well.
Q. What are you doing right now in your off time? A lot of times you just sit back and read. Is that what you're doing? Are you going to the beach?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I play my guitar, work on my chords and everything else. Music theory.
But I kind of want to go to the shops. I haven't had a chance to. I've had a match every day or some kind of rain or some kind of nonsense. So I'm working on it, spreading my wings and getting to the shops.
Q. Maybe tomorrow?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Let's do that (smiling).
Q. I didn't know you played guitar. What kind of music do you like to play most?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I like everything. My teacher gives me songs and then I end up making up my own things, too.
Q. How often are you able to take lessons?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not very often. So when I do, I go and get the crash course.
Q. Are you good enough to play in public?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not confident enough, no. Good enough, yes. Confident, no (laughing)
. FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
3/28
V. WILLIAMS/D. Hantuchova
7-6, 6-2
An interview with:
VENUS WILLIAMS
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. I'm doing a story on momentum. In terms of you building momentum this year, because you haven't had so much, this match, where the first set you got through a tight one then the second set you got to run away with it, if you build on this tomorrow, do you think you're getting going?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I have to build on it. I think my returns helped me out today. They were real tough yesterday.
But as far as momentum, I think I just kept getting it today in the match. It's something that you do build on throughout the year and throughout the tournament and throughout the match. So, yeah, it's an important factor.
Q. You're playing someone like Schiavone next, who ideally would be the opponent you'd build momentum against, but she has a different style, is that going to be difficult for you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It will be a different style because Daniela, she has the ability to press the point and to hit winners, where against Schiavone, maybe her strength is more or less to get a lot of balls back, try to frustrate you.
So if anything against Schiavone, I'll have a lot more time to do exactly what I want to do.
Q. When you're playing at your peak, do you just have that automatic sense of when the key points are and what to do? Or tonight, for example, are you trying to figure out what to do?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, really I was just making mistakes and probably pressing too hard. I really wanted to win. She really wanted to win (laughing).
So it was interesting, at least that part, to see how motivated she was. So I was like, "Pick it up, pick it up."
Q. Good tennis?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was good tennis. Even in the second set there was good tennis but I just kept winning the points. Yeah, I started to feel good and I think it was tough for her because a lot of the shots maybe I was missing early in the second I stopped missing.
I was able to cover the court well, and she was, too. So that was good. I think if she plays like that, she's going to win a lot more matches for sure.
Q. How did you feel sort of mentally and physically versus yesterday?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Mentally, I felt better. Tried to be more clear going into the match. Yesterday I knew what I did wrong. But yesterday was more windy and I played quite a different player yesterday. So today was possibly a bit easier because I was kind of warmed up and better into it and things like that.
Q. Yesterday sort of helped?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, definitely.
Q. In terms of adjusting your game for tonight, how did you turn the tables?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Just the errors, I had to stop the errors. I think even today I was hitting some really good shots. Then she would hit one in the corner and she had me a lot on the defense.
But even with that, I'm a good player on the defense because I can hit a lot of shots that are still very forcive when I'm on the defense. So I think that helped a lot.
But she played good. I was just trying to make sure I had an answer for everything.
Q. How close did you feel today to the zone of your best tennis?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not close. I'm never happy. I think that I started definitely doing the things I'm used to doing, which is playing well and having an answer for each shot my opponent has and really just competing well. And that was nice. But I just always felt like, "I got to pick it up, I got to do better." So tomorrow hopefully I'll even do more.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
3/27
V. WILLIAMS/J. Zheng
6-4, 6-4
An interview with:
VENUS WILLIAMS
THE MODERATOR: First question for Venus Williams, please.
Q. Is it good to get a tougher match like this as your first match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, she was a very good player. She played definitely at a different rhythm than most players; she played very flat and very low. Her serve was a lot slower and lower than what I'm used to. Coupled with the wind, it was different out there.
I felt more than anything I served well. I'd love to be more consistent and, of course, just play always a lot better.
Q. Looked like she had you running at the beginning. She was the aggressor.
VENUS WILLIAMS: She hit some good shots; she really did. I think that I had some points where we both were moving so it was nice.
Q. What was that like, that Spadea-Safin match? You probably thought you might be going on after the second set.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.
Q. Then it goes to a tiebreak. You're back to waiting. Can you just talk about, what is that like when you're probably itching to go and get your match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I was ready. Then I went, refueled and got ready again.
It was nice, because at this kind of tournament you know it can't go three-out-of-five. That's the end of it. So there's some comfort in that.
But they had a good match. I actually enjoyed it.
Q. You watched some?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I watched some of it.
Q. How much did you know about your opponent before?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Before, I just had no idea who she was. Apparently, she's made quite a rise in the last year. I was kind of out most of last year. I missed -- I see a lot of new faces that I didn't know before. So I'm catching up, too.
Q. How are you feeling physically?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I feel good. Just taking one day at a time and always make sure that I'm careful that I say my prayers.
Q. What was the biggest problem, you had some problems with your abdomen or stomach?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.
Q. Could you talk about that.
VENUS WILLIAMS: That was the biggest problem, but I'd like to think it's behind me. When I'm out there, I am not thinking about my stomach injuries or my pulls or my strains. So that's good. Because earlier in the year, that was an issue, having to play and also thinking about what I had been through in the past. But now that's not even on my mind.
It's a hurdle to get over, but it was good.
Q. How did you feel mentally out there today? Did you feel like you were in it from the beginning?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I always felt confident. I always felt like I was going to win the match, but I did feel a little bit inconsistent. That's definitely what I'm going to work on in my next match.
But sometimes it happens if you don't always play a lot of matches.
Q. At times during the match you seemed a little, like, distracted. Was there anything else going on outside of the match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I didn't feel distracted.
Q. Because of the weather yesterday, there's a certain situation where every match on Stadium Court today has a player who's won a Grand Slam, been No. 1. Does that -- clearly, that's great for the audience, but does that sort of spill over to you guys, too, when you're just all a part of just this kind of all-star lineup?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know (laughing). I never thought of it that way, to be honest.
But I'm very happy to be out on court. I love this court and I love this tournament. I felt support out there today, so that was nice.
Q. You still have an interior design company?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, I do.
Q. How involved are you in that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: As much as I can. But definitely my main task is the tennis, so that's where I spend most of my time, is on the tennis court.
But...
Q. With the interior design company, do you actually design people's homes? Do you have clients?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I pretty much leave it to the designers because they're professional and they're experienced. They know what's happening.
Sometimes, of course, I have ideas, but I definitely like to let them do their best at what they do.
Q. Have you finished the room for Serena, and, if so, what was her reaction to it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: The room?
Q. Weren't you doing her room.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I was doing a project for her. It's not done yet, so we'll talk about it after (smiling).
Q. You've got a few matches under your belt now.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Uh-hmm.
Q. Where do you feel like your game is right now?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I feel good, just keep advancing. Definitely, just stay in the tournaments and not, you know, acquire another injury. That's the problem so far, is the injuries. So what I'm trying to do is stay healthy. And as long as I can stay healthy, I can practice, and as long as I practice, I can win matches.
Q. You were away for a while. You've had a few matches. Do you feel like there's still things you're sort of noticing like, "Oh, yeah, I remember what this looks like," or do you feel like you're in a groove?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely feel I can get better, but I've always felt like that, even when I was playing my best.
So I think as a professional athlete and as a competitor, that's just the attitude I have all the time. I'm always trying to get better. I never stop.
Q. How tired are you of people asking if tennis is your No. 1 focus?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's quite strange. I never let on that impression. You go off and get injured, and people start to think that maybe you aren't interested. The truth of the matter is I was injured.
Q. Did you have to make any adjustments with Zjeng, the way she was playing sort of starting out, in order to kind of turn it? What did you have to do?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I had a slow start, I thought. But I think today my serve really helped me to win the match. I did miss some easy shots, but I think I just maybe rushed a little bit so I tried to correct that.
And she was really compact and low to the ground. I noticed the longer we got in the rallies, the lower she kept hitting the ball, and the lower it got the tougher it was for me to raise it up and hit an effective shot. When I hit a slower ball, she did her best to try to attack it.
It was an interesting game. I enjoyed it. I was just competing the whole time. I felt confident I would win the match.
Q. In the second set it seemed like you had put her away early on and then she fought back. Did you let up or did she just make big shots?
VENUS WILLIAMS: She's definitely a fighter, that's for sure. You could see that. She's had apparently a really good rise. But I also think I did make some errors there, especially for a couple of games from 4-1 to 4-3 I made a few errors.
But I think what I wanted to do was try and go for more and whenever I get up, I do try to go for more and just keep playing better and raising it up to the next level. But it kind of backfired and I missed a few more, so I'll try not to do that (laughing).
Q. Not having played that much, or having had a long break, did it make you hungrier at all? How did it affect your mind frame?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just, you know, I feel like the same person, the same player. I just think it will only be a matter of time before I get the same results. That time could be this week also, is how I feel.
Q. Do you try not to look at the ranking? For some people, they'd kill for 17. For you, it seems low.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't even know it was 17. I thought I was outside of the Top 20. When they said that, I was like, "Yes!" In comparison, I played -- I have about five tournaments in my record. It's a pretty good ranking for that number of tournaments.
So it's not so bad. Even when I first started out, I really, really paid attention to the rankings. I was counting points. But after a while, it was more or less my performance in the tournament and getting, hopefully, a victory in the tournament, not what the ranking was all about.
Q. Also, do you like when your family is here, watching you? What's that like?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I can hear them out there when I'm on the court. I can hear them, "Come on, come on," even if I miss a shot or feel bad about the mistake or even slightly embarrassed about a silly error, I feel my family out there rooting me on. So that's nice.
Q. Tommy Haas was saying the hardest part for him in getting back from his injury is he keeps comparing himself now to that player that he was before he was injured and it's hard, because he feels like he's not measuring up as quickly as he'd like. Can you relate to that at all? Have you had some of the same feelings?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I suppose we have a little bit of a different mind frame. I feel like the same player, and I just maybe have a disposition, but I feel like still the best player. So that's just how I think. I think that's how I was taught to think, right, mom (laughter)? Hey, that's how I am.
But I definitely think the whole thing for me is to be consistent.
Q. Have you been able to give Serena any advice about coming back, since you got a little bit of a head start on her?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. We always encourage each other, but not anything in particular, no.
Q. What is your -- what are your plans, as far as tournaments go after this one?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I'm going to play in Charleston, the Family Circle Cup, then I'm going to play Fed Cup, then Warsaw and Berlin and the French Open.
Q. Do you feel you could win the whole thing, this whole thing? Or do you just take it one match at a time, see how it goes? Do you aim to try to win the whole thing? Can you do that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: That's a good question because I'm really interested in winning the whole thing, and that's always where I set my goal. I really would just like to win, to sum it up.
But if I can, I will have to definitely improve on my game today.
Q. You won here before. Was that very memorable? Do you have good memories?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I love winning. Yes, it was very memorable. It's been a few years now since I've won this event. But Serena's won the last couple years so someone can mix her name up with mine and never know the difference because I get called Serena all the time; it's fine with me (smiling).
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
Australian Open
1/24
L. RAYMOND/V. Williams
6-4, 7-6
An interview with:
VENUS WILLIAMS
Q. Do you think that's attributable to the layoff or Lisa's fine play? How would you assess that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she played really well. You know, she hung in there and played a lot of good shots and was really determined. And she's a really, really good player, really talented, and she has everything: good serve, good return, good groundstrokes, good volleys, good movement.
So she had a lot of good things going on out there for her.
Q. You were having a lot of trouble with your first serve. Was that sun, something else?
VENUS WILLIAMS: A little bit. I think I had some good ones, some good first serves, a lot of good ones, actually, then some bad ones, too. Just a little bit off rhythm. That's all.
Q. Do you think that's a match that you might have won had you not had such a long break?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'd like to think so. But what I need to do is just put my break behind me and keep moving on with the now and with each match that I play from here, and learn from each one, learn from each one.
I think she played well. And I had some moments when I played some good shots, too. So it was a good match.
Q. Is it a question when you're away that long, you get a little battle shy?
VENUS WILLIAMS: In the tiebreak, I probably went for too much too soon. I guess I have a lot of time to think about it now (smiling).
But it's all good. It's all good because I feel I can do it - but it just wasn't today.
Q. Are you less disappointed than you would ordinarily be?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm pretty much in shock. I still can't believe it. But that's the way I feel after every loss - whether I've been off or on or what have you.
It's definitely going to settle in this evening. It will be like, "No!" That's the way it is. You win some, you lose some. I definitely had a lot of high hopes to do well here, and of course ultimately to win. But the best player will, whoever that is.
Unfortunately, it wasn't me in this fortnight.
Q. Are you good at kind of putting it in perspective?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Maybe not right now (laughter). Maybe not right now. I just would like to do well, that's all. There's definitely a lot of things I could work on. But it's nice that I'll have a break and get ready for the next event.
Q. Were you a hundred percent physically today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, everybody has their issues. Don't really want to get into that. But it was okay.
Q. Your stomach muscle feels okay?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm fine, thank God, yes. I'm fine with my stomach, thank you.
Q. It appeared your movement was a little bit limited at times in the second set.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. My feet couldn't -- I don't want to get into it. Lisa played good.
Q. You're due to go to Tokyo after this?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'm going to Tokyo.
Q. Will you stay here now?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'll be a tennis tourist (laughter). I'll go see the Twelve Apostles now, who knows, Ayers Rock, all those good things.
No, this is definitely not the position I was anticipating, but it's okay. I have to look at the bright side and know that I have plenty of time to practice and get ready for my next event. Of course, I just feel that my form will get better and better.
Q. Were you in a little bit of shock to find yourself down so quickly?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. Just even from the warm-up, I was thinking, "She's going to play well today," just from the way she's hitting in the warm-up. My feet, I couldn't get them to go. My feet were very bad today. Especially at my height, I can't have bad feet and still play well. So that was tough.
But she played good. She had a lot of shots rockin' and rollin' today. It was nice for her.
Q. Lisa has had a lot of trouble keeping her nerves in singles matches, finishing them up. Did you expect she might have problems today? Did that ever flash through your mind?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It could have happened. It could have happened. I don't think I was able to keep the pressure on like I normally would. But I think she did good. She kept it coming. I've seen her play very well before. So I knew she was capable of that.
Q. Was your weight of shot as heavy as it is normally?
VENUS WILLIAMS: "Weight of shot".
Q. Yes.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I thought I had some heavy shots, for sure. She had a lot of good shots, too. And normally a lot of those shots she was hitting, I would run them down. And that wasn't the case today. So I think that was another area of pressure I'm usually able to put on my opponent, which she wasn't affected by today. So I think that gave her some advantages, too.
Q. What is your schedule?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm playing in Tokyo and Antwerp and Dubai. So I have two weeks off now. Woe is me.
Q. Will you watch any of the remainder of this Open or not?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Maybe, I don't know (laughter). I have a lot to think about and recover from at this moment, so...
Q. I know it's hard to evaluate something after a loss like this, but what sort of positives can you take away from the whole experience of coming back? Like you said, your stomach is better now.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I can be positive that my stomach is fine. Yes, that's it (laughter).
Q. Nothing else?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.
Q. Ways it one of your most disappointing losses? How would you rank it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. Not really. Obviously, each loss is not a barrel of laughs, to put it in the least way. But I definitely had losses that were more disappointing than this. But each one is one that I don't want to accept or take or experience.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports...
1/22
V. WILLIAMS/V. Douchevina
6-4, 6-2
VENUS WILLIAMS: I had a good match. I had a few more errors than what I wanted to, but really the whole goal was just to keep hitting out. I felt that I could have pulled back, of course, and cut my errors in half. But I really wanted to go after her and play well.
Also she hit a lot of balls back. Her second serve was quite slower than what I expected. I think it threw me off a little bit at first. I had to move up and adjust to that. So that was also different.
But I never played her before and I think she's quite good for her age also.
Q. Your serve was a little bit slower today, as well. Did you deliberately back off a little bit?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm not really going for speed really - just placement and force. Maybe I'll concentrate on that in some of my next matches, the speed.
But feeling fine. My second serve also is faster than normal and is kicking much higher.
Q. You were thinking about playing the US Open. Couldn't do it.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.
Q. When did you finally realize that your abdominal muscles were going to let you do it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Were going to let me do it?
Q. Serve like you wanted to serve.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess sometime later in the fall really. Things started to subside.
Still sweating from the match. It's hard to cool down.
But, no, it just took time. Over time I could definitely see when I was better, and I could also see if I did certain things or lift certain things or tried to do too much in my exercise regime or rehabilitation regime, that I would also regress, so I couldn't be too ambitious. So I had to just wait.
It was really just a waiting game.
Q. Was that frustrating?
VENUS WILLIAMS: As much as I like tennis, I was okay being away from it. The hardest thing was definitely accepting my limitations, to accept that I couldn't do it. And growing up in the Williams house, there was no such thing as "can't" or "cannot." That was a hard thing to accept, that I couldn't. It seemed everyone else could - my mom, dad, sisters, except for me.
Q. When you are speaking about limitation, do you have any limitation? Would you list some of them?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Limitations as far as?
Q. You said "limitations," this word.
VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I'm quite ambitious, I think. I try a lot of things. I notice also when I'm trying different things, like I'll learn new things. My mom, she's kind of sitting like this (closed mouthed). She knows that I try too much, and she worries for me. She doesn't want me to lose my focus on the tennis - which I won't. I'll always keep that. It's like my lighthouse. I'm always going towards the tennis. But also there's other things that take me in other directions, too. For me, it's important to be well-rounded in order for me to do my best at the tennis.
Q. What are some of those other things?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Like I try new languages. I like to try to learn computer programs, like PhotoShop. What else? You know, fashion design programs, as far as technical drawing. I like a lot of music. I want to learn to mix. I play the guitar and the bass, but I want to learn keyboards.
What else is on my list? I have things on my list that are like life goals, goals for 2004. So there's a lot of things I'd like to do. You know, I write. I write poetry in my spare time. Just different things that I try.
Q. Serena...
VENUS WILLIAMS: I know, I miss her, too (laughter).
Q. Serena does fashion design, as well. Are you into something like that as well?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely, for sure. Definitely after tennis -- I don't know what my first love is after tennis. More than anything, I like exploring myself, and each year I realize there's so much more that I don't know, so much more that I'd like to do. And I think more than anything, I just want to improve myself. That's my whole goal. Whether it's fashion or any other endeavor, I just want to do my best and just keep getting more out of me.
Q. After such a long layoff from tournament play, did you have to deal with more aches and pains than normal when you came back up after these first couple of matches?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Actually, yeah, for sure. When you're off so long, you have to be real careful about how much you train. You can't go gung-ho and get out there and practice five hours because you'll come back with five more injuries.
I have done that. And this time I was a lot smarter. It took three or four practices before I could go out there and practice an hour or hour and a half or two hours. But I did ease into it.
Still now I'm trying not to play too many events, too many doubles and singles. I'm watching how much I practice on my off-days. Those kinds of things. But I have my mom and my trainer. I tell them, "Don't let me do it. Don't let me practice too long."
Q. Do you increase it as the tournament goes on, or do the matches give you the fitness you need?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Really less and less. Less and less. I am real clear on what I want to execute and what I want to do on the court. I'm real clear with my technique. I feel I can bring the errors down when I'm ready. I feel like I just want to hit, and that's what I'm doing.
Q. How is the interior design company going? You said you set yourself goals for 2004. Can you tell us what those are?
VENUS WILLIAMS: 2004 goals? Well, as far as the tennis, definitely to get my ranking back up. It seems like the ranking isn't always up to me. Of course, to definitely be successful in the Grand Slam events and the WTA Tour events. Really, that's at the forefront of everything. So everything else comes second.
Q. And the design company?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Design company, of course to always grow. My ultimate goal is to have branches in different cities. But that's quite a few years from now. So, of course, it's important to have the first business model up and running and perfected.
Q. Seven years ago you were able to say a few words in Italian. Now you just say you would like to improve your languages. Which language? Have you made any progress in Italian?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I made some progress in my Italian. I haven't studied since like '99. I picked up Spanish. I got too busy with everything in my life, so I had to drop it.
I want to learn French. I was pretty good at my French, but it dropped off. Didn't practice.
Ultimately, I'd like to speak lots of languages because I love words. I love how people put them together. I like the translations, yeah.
Q. Have you ever heard of an old suggestion, "Sleep with the dictionary"?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I never heard this one. Is this English or Italian?
Q. English.
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I never heard this one.
Q. Have you thought about learning Russian?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I've tried that, too. Believe me, I've tried every language (laughter). I've tried it, yes. I think I learned the alphabet, but it's been a few years since I tried that, too. But at least I can phonetically sound things out, so I'm not as lost as maybe the next person when I go to Russia.
Q. Are you following the primary campaign at all in the States?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No.
Q. Do you have any opinions on that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, no. I've been watching the tennis, yeah.
Q. I have one question regarding the first-round Fed Cup match which you play against Slovenia.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.
Q. What are your intentions? Are you planning to play?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You don't want me to play?
Q. Of course, everybody is curious whether you or your sister are going to come to our country.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I would love to come. I think that's one of the highlights of Fed Cup, to go to countries that you normally wouldn't have the chance to go to. So I'm very keen on coming. I'm really keen on supporting the new captain also, Zina Garrison.
I'm real excited. She told me she's been there before and it's a beautiful country. I'd like to be immersed in the whole experience, besides of course getting a win for the US.
Q. There's a report from overseas that yourself and Serena have started proceedings to get custody of your sister's child. Is that true?
Oh my God, wrong place, wrong time to talk about that.
Q. I had to ask. I'm sorry.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you.
1/20
THE MODERATOR:
Venus, tell us about your match.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I was real excited out there today. I really just wanted to focus on just hitting through the ball and going for my shots and when I was on the run just hitting them, hitting my returns. Really just doing all the things I always practice on. So I was pretty satisfied with the match and I played against a good player also.
Q. What were your feelings just stepping on the court for the first time?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I guess it's a little bit sentimental, but at the time I was really very focused in on really my performance. Afterwards, it was really just a breath of fresh air, just like, "Oh, yes, I'm back now. I'm doing good."
I guess the only way to understand how it feels is to actually have been in the position I was in.
Q. More butterflies than usual?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not really. Not really. I was pretty clear on what I wanted to do and I was pretty clear also on the kind of player that she was. And was really just a matter of me going out there and executing.
Q. Were you surprised that they bumped you up in the seeding?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh...
Q. Were you expecting that or...?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm really grateful, I suppose, to the seeding. But other than that, I really didn't pay so much attention. I think the seeding's pretty consistent with the WTA rules.
Q. Can you take us through what happened at 3-1 in that first set.
VENUS WILLIAMS: As far as...?
Q. You seem to hurt the ankle a little bit.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I was going for the swing volley, and I twisted my right ankle, so I'll just monitor it and see how it goes. But I'm not anticipating that it will be so bad.
Q. Did it need any treatment after the match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Just ice so far, but it hasn't been so long after. So I'm gonna reevaluate after this conference.
Q. Can you give us a little idea of how your recovery went, like when you first started to go on the court and how long you were on the court and all that kind of stuff.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. It just varied. Some days I hit an hour. I tried to start out with half an hour, an hour, then go from there to, you know, hopefully two hours, three hours, sometimes an afternoon session.
I tried to get the most out of my practice when I was there since maybe I couldn't have stayed on the court as long as I would have liked.
Basically, I kept building it up. Even still now I have some shorter days and some longer days just to not really just rocket into it but kind of ease myself into it and do the smart thing. In the past I have kind of rushed too much, and that doesn't work.
Q. When did you first go back on court after Wimbledon, the first time?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I went back on court... I guess I went out to LA, when Serena had the procedure. I tried to hit then, but it wasn't working. I was trying to play the US Open. After that, I took a few weeks off. After the US Open, I tried to go back out again and tried to get ready for my next tournaments in the fall, but that didn't happen.
So, basically, I really started going out full-time in December.
Q. Do you think your career and your life has developed the way you thought when you started as a professional in '97?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, definitely. I've reached a lot of my goals. I think when I get to the point where I have no more goals to reach, then I wouldn't have any reason to play. But I don't think I'll ever get there.
And I think that I'm always expecting to get more out of myself, so obviously, I'd like to get better and stronger and more consistent. But it gives me a lot to look forward to.
Q. Each year we seem to talk about the more aggressive approach, but was it my imagination you seemed to come to the net more a bit today? Are you trying to do that here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think my game lends itself for me to move in because my shots penetrate and I have the opportunity to move in and follow up after them, and my volleys aren't, like, that bad.
So today I did hit a lot of penetrating shots and I tried to move in. Really it's just all about playing the ball. If the ball is deep you move back, if it's short you move in. That's really what I'm trying to do, is play with the ball.
Q. What's it like being here without Serena?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not the same. Not the same. I'm alone in the room. You know, phone's not ringing, because her phone's always ringing non-stop (smiling).
I guess that's a difference. But I miss her. No doubles.
Q. Did you feel trepidation going back on court today, first time in many months?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I suppose maybe in a way, but I think that more than anything I just wanted to play consistently because I feel I can hit lots of great shots. But it's not about one or two great shots; it's about playing consistently and playing the point correctly. I think I did okay at that today.
Q. I saw a picture of your nephew, the little guy on the front page. How old is he?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Five.
Q. Is he having a good time here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, he thinks he's a star (smiling). "I'm a star. See my picture in the paper?" Showed everyone his picture. I'm like, "Oh, God, we're not showing any more pictures."
I said, "What did you do to become a star?" I asked him.
"I'm a star." But it's hard when you're young. You don't understand.
Q. Who were your heroes growing up? What did you learn from them? What can youngsters learn from watching your game?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess my first hero maybe was Sabatini, and then after that it was Becker. I used to serve like him at 10 years old. Then it was Monica Seles. That's where I got my grunt from. I was grunting like her. It's amazing, 10 and 11, I'm watching on TV. 10 years later I'm playing against her.
Q. Did you try to learn anything from their games?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know if I tried to learn anything, I just tried to be like them. So maybe in essence I did learn something from them.
Q. What can young tennis players watching you on TV learn from your game?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Hopefully good technique. I mean, sometimes I'm off on my technique, but that's what's most important is the technique. Hopefully to have fun, too. I have fun when I'm out there.
Q. Has there been anything strange about being back, all the hoards of players in the beginning of a Grand Slam tournament? You've been off in your own quiet life.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly, exactly. Definitely, I'm having to deal with a lot more people. I think I've gotten really comfortable with not having to have as much people in my private space. I suppose I was an old pro at it. Now I'm just picking it back up.
But other than that, I'm just rolling with it.
Q. Has it been fun to catch up with some people you haven't seen for a while?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, yeah. Everyone's been real nice, asking people what they did over the holiday. Things change when you're gone for six months. So just catching up.
Q. When you lost your serve at the end, how do you look at Justine at the No. 1 in the world now and top favorite for this tournament?
VENUS WILLIAMS: She definitely deserves where she is. You don't get to No. 1 unless you deserve to be there. I've been at the top before, and it must be really immensely satisfying for her.
Q. You said you'd stop playing when you achieved your goals. What are they specifically?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, first one would be to win every match. Then the second would be to win every point. I obviously, realistically, I don't think there's ever a point in any competitor or any athlete's life where they stop having goals. It gets to the point probably where you can't reach them anymore. But I feel like definitely I'm still on the rise - always on the rise.
Q. Just going back to what you were saying about your nephew being on the front page of the paper, do you believe you have to earn the right to be a star?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, sure. I guess so. I don't know, some people want to grow up and become a star and be world-famous. Other people want to be good at what they do. And I think I'm one of those people that just I want to be good at what I do. The other stuff came second. I was just raised to be a tennis player. That's what I am.
Q. For the benefit of our lady readers, can you just describe the fashion today, the dress, the earrings, the engagement ring (laughter).
VENUS WILLIAMS: No engagement ring. Actually, my finger, I hit it, and it's been swollen for weeks now. I can't get the ring off so... Bad luck.
But, yeah, the outfit was -- I suppose it's a halter, a Reebok in conjunction with Diane Von Furstenburg, who's completely a legend in fashion design. It's a lot of fun to wear. It's a lot of fun to wear.
Q. Same earrings you wore on court?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, earrings, I got these in Hong Kong. I guess accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. I'm just your regular girl, I really am.
Q. Are they diamond encrusted?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I have to be careful. When I get home, Serena's going to want them. I'll have to hide them. I like long and dangly, really big hoops, and one day the diamond studs.
Obviously, I have to win a big event before I can reward myself. Maybe Serena will get them for me.
Q. The clasp in your hair?
VENUS WILLIAMS: In the hair? Oh, yeah, just light blue. Like I said, I just -- I like to have the complete outfit. I just believe that if you look good, you play better. I'm serious. Have you ever gone anywhere, you're not looking your best, you feel a little, you know, a little self-conscious. When I walk out on that court, my game's ready and outfit's ready, too (laughing).
Okay, I'm totally off the subject (laughter).
Thank you all.