TELECOM ITALIA MASTERS

May 10, 2004

Serena Williams

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Serena, please.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, for the first time in the past two weeks, the first tournament in eight, nine months, I actually was running for balls and jumping for balls and actually running instead of jogging for balls without worrying about my knee, and I didn't even realize it. I was thinking, and I told my dad, "Oh, wait a minute. I'm not even thinking about it." So I knew in talking with my therapist that that's a point we're trying to get myself to. I think I'm at that point, so that's real exciting.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's just subconsciously. It's more subconscious than anything, but still you know it's there.

SERENA WILLIAMS: (Smiling) It does.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, of course I'm thinking about taking advantage of my opportunities, so that definitely crossed my mind, yeah, sure.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, never. I would never even think to try to put acting in between there, because I'm trying to win Wimbledon and I'm trying to win the French and I'm trying to just win everything (smiling). And whether it happens or not, I don't know, but I can't get sidetracked by doing other things like that at all, by no means.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, there will be time in the future. I mean, to me, it doesn't matter when, how, where; it doesn't matter.

SERENA WILLIAMS: A lot of people say that, and I would be lying if I said I didn't sense it. But it's definitely there. People obviously miss us. People are really excited to see us back. We're both doing well right now, so we're both really excited to be back and contribute again to women's tennis.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I haven't talked to her too much about it. She seemed to be fine on the phone, but hopefully she'll be okay.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, when I first got back, I didn't care at that point what happened. I think I was more or less nervous more than anything about re-injuring myself, and I didn't really trust myself. And then just getting back on the court, it was just like, "Oh, I'm just happy to be back out here - serving, hitting, being in the atmosphere." For me, that was more than enough. And so obviously to win was even better. To win was like eating a carrot cake.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think I was anxious maybe in the first round - first round, that's it. And after that, I just, you know, came back down to Earth and relaxed. I was in competition and I wanted to compete.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Not really, actually. I was fine. I don't let things get me down like that at all.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it's a huge inspiration, especially playing the next couple weeks in Roland Garros. I'm just excited to be there and to compete again. I could just picture myself, you know, in the atmosphere, practicing on courts, playing the match. And, obviously, I love Wimbledon. So really can't wait to go to London and compete.

SERENA WILLIAMS: That's a very difficult question. I think what's more fun, I have a lot of fun playing tennis; I really do. I really enjoy it. And, obviously, I have a blast when I'm acting. I mean, I love nothing more than hearing the word "cut" and stuff like that. I think for me, that's just , I mean, action. I love that. I couldn't choose. I mean, right now I would choose tennis maybe because I think I do it so well - maybe (laughing). It's my love, and I've been playing it all my life and I just don't want to give it up at all. So, yeah, definitely tennis.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm gonna -- I don't know. My goal this year is to be shooting a movie this fall. So I have a couple different offers, and I haven't decided which one I want to do. I'm definitely going to be doing a movie this fall - hands down, that's my goal.

SERENA WILLIAMS: (Smiling).

SERENA WILLIAMS: (Laughing). That's not a fair question.

SERENA WILLIAMS: One's action. I'm really excited about it. But the other one's more -- kind of like a comedy/drama. But, believe it or not, I've done action before, and it really is physical so I'll probably be in really, really good shape. And not only that, you have to -- it might be a little too physical. So I haven't decided yet. Working on script changes, so we'll see.

SERENA WILLIAMS: More physical than tennis. You get hurt. You know, you always see the actors that break their wrists and their legs. It's very difficult. So it's definitely more physical, and it's like you have to do it 50 times, especially if the director is one of those directors that like to do it a lot - like again and again and "Take 50." It's like, "Okay," and you have to go to another scene.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, definitely have to get a body double (smiling).

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, haven't done too much action, but I think -- I think I'd be really good in a role like that. Just all that is pretty much computerized, like all those jumps and stuff like that. But I think it would be fun. Something like that would be a lot of fun.

SERENA WILLIAMS: He's good, yeah. He's so cute. He's real good. I'll tell him you asked.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, he doesn't like to play tennis. He doesn't.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I heard about it. It's unfortunate, it really is.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't think I've ever met him.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think I have a great chance. And if I didn't think I had a great chance, I shouldn't go.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Everybody's tough (smiling).