TELECOM ITALIA MASTERS

May 13, 2003

Serena Williams

THE MODERATOR: First question for Serena, please.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I was not satisfied. I didn't think it would be easier, I always expect a tough match out of my opponents, and I played her before. I don't know, what was the last point?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I just had problems with the unforced errors. I think I made a little too many. It's not what I was practicing on. It just wasn't right at the moment.

SERENA WILLIAMS: It was, that's comforting to know that it was my first match on the European clay. It makes me feel that, "Oh, well, next time I'll do better." I didn't have a chance to practice on the court at all, so maybe tomorrow I'll try to do a little practicing on the court as well. Just take my time, make sure I stay confident, not get too upset about it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think so. I think that she was striking it well and very deep. Some of her balls were off the line, on the baseline. And that was a good practice for me as well, to see that, you know, the next match I'll be ready for the pace as well as the slow ball.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, actually, I worked really hard. I went over to Bollettieri's IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida. I was there for a week training on the clay, working with a lot of different guys, working hard. Then the week after I went back home to my side of Florida and I worked out again as well. Then I came here. And I played in the Fed Cup, so I've been practicing a lot, working hard.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I've always practiced with guys, so I just am kind of used to practicing with them now. So I kind of sometimes prefer to practice with a guy just because I'm used to it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Beat the number...?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I never believed in that. I have no comment towards that.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, especially on the clay court, it was tough for me to -- actually, I don't think I'd won anything on the clay before, or hadn't I? I don't know.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Geez... But I was close (laughing). But it was finally my big breakthrough. So it was great. I love it here. I had such a wonderful experience last year, and I'm hoping to repeat it again.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I mean, not only on the court, but off the court. I just really enjoyed my time here. I was going around the city and seeing Roma and the shops. I just had a wonderful experience with all the foods. That was really great and all.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I had it... (Shaking her head.) I'm not allowed to talk about that (laughter).

SERENA WILLIAMS: I guess it's just natural. I'm pretty fast, a little strong, so I was just able to go over there and get that with no problems at all. Just was like...

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, actually, I prefer European clay over American clay; I don't know why. Never had problems. I was all right with it, just hadn't played enough tournaments on the clay to have won one, I don't think. So I was perfectly fine. I have no problems.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I didn't hit with Venus. But she's feeling a little bit better than Warsaw.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Roberto Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, you know, the usual...(laughter).

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm very much very well prepared. It's just timing. And I think as each match goes on -- last year, I think I played a few more matches than at this point. So as each match goes on, I'll just get a little more comfortable.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I've always enjoyed the Americans Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras as players. I used to want to be like Pete. I'm a little far off, but, you know, I tried... Other than that, I don't know. I don't really -- I wouldn't be able to -- I don't really -- I don't know.