HOME DEPOT CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 10, 2002

Serena Williams

Q. Serena, what did you learn from Billie Jean?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Just a few pointers here and there, why I missed my shots, and why they go long or things like that. She's really amazing. I really, totally, look up to her, and she's just like a mentor and just everything. I really, really have so much respect and admiration for Billie. There might be a difference in my game tomorrow thanks to Billie.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm looking forward to it. I went to play this year, but I couldn't. My ranking wasn't high enough. I wanted to play singles at the time, but I'll play next year for sure.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Obviously, I need to come a little bit more aggressive.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. She just hit a ball out in the end. That was it. It was just our intensity levels both were so high. I don't know. We battle each time we play. We bring out the best in each other. She had some amazing returns. Finally, my serve was able to come through in the end.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think it's the fact that we both want to win so bad, and we know each other's game so well. Maybe that has something to do with it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. That's unexplainable. I was hoping you guys would give me a reason.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I don't think so. I don't know. I mean, I guess maybe it wasn't so lopsided in the beginning and in the middle. Usually when we play, one person is dominating. We were pretty close throughout the whole match. I think, not Indian Wells, but Miami this year was really, really close and compelling and very high the whole time.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, nothing really. I just hope she was doing good. She was really injured and I don't think she should have went out at all. I was upset she went out. In that case, it's kind of like whatever, because I'm just looking out for her health right now.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Before she went out she told me to be ready because she wasn't feeling so good.

SERENA WILLIAMS: You can see how far women's sports, in general, have been able to come, not just tennis. I think she set the standards and then by not playing, it might have been a major factor. I know a long time ago, they demanded equal pay at the US Open, also. I think they were able to be good pioneers for the rest of us.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, my God, yeah. It's a tennis court and stands. I think the fans were really into it. When I played yesterday, they were really into it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, hopefully I will be able to play a little bit better. If I don't play better, I might not win tomorrow. If I do play better, there is a good chance I will win. The way I have been playing, I'm happy to be in the finals. You know, tomorrow is my last day, and I'm hanging up the racket for a week and I don't want anyone to ask me any questions about tennis.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I have a lot of friends and family coming here, and it's great to make it to the finals here. I haven't been in the finals in LA in two years. I'm really excited. Everyone will get to see me play. Hopefully I will be able to go one more. We'll see.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I have a couple of things to do. I like LA a lot. I like staying here. I wouldn't want to live here. It's nice.

SERENA WILLIAMS: She's going to go for a lot of winners and I'm going to hit a lot of winners. It's going to be a lot about power. It's a good matchup with the both of us. She's playing really well. Last time we played, she played great. I have to make sure I'm ready.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Like today?

SERENA WILLIAMS: For sure. This is the epitome of tennis. It's definitely what you wait for, and what you hope for, getting a good match. Actually, I'm lying. I hope for 6-0, 6-0. That's what I really hope for. I'm telling you everybody else does too, just not the fans.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, she always moves very well when we play. She always gets the extra ball back. I wasn't really surprised.

SERENA WILLIAMS: For sure. It's a lot of points at stake, I believe. I don't really know, but I think it is. It pays more than the Australian and the French.