THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 22, 1998

Venus Williams

Q. How is your knee?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it is better.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't do anything to it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Because I think it is a fashion statement.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I played much better than I did the other night. The other night I was very erratic that even I wasn't sure what I was going to do. But today I was a lot better. I think I still let some errors come in at the wrong times. But I was more satisfied. But my goals will be played better next time.

VENUS WILLIAMS: He has been here.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Is it unusual?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I see him a lot. Well, he was at Oklahoma and Indian Wells and he is here. We live here, so he comes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. My mom is my coach also. I really like having my dad here, but sometimes he is not, so my mom is here for me. And I believe she is one of the best. So is my dad.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Jive? Talking jive?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Talking a lot of jive. That is usually what we do. How much time we speak talking tennis?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely. We help each other out. Because the other night I said Serena, "When you play, if you can't be there, be there anyway." So now that is what we are talking about now. She said, "I wasn't there, but I was there anyway, Venus." So, she was talking to me before I went out to my match. And sometimes I will say things to her so we help each other out. Sometimes we will be off the court, Serena, this don't make sense or, Venus, this don't make sense, what are we doing, come on, we can dominate, why are we doing these things, let's get it straight. So, usually we encourage each other.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: After I played her, I told her, Serena, you have these tendencies.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think Serena definitely is playing well these days. I think Patty is playing well also. She won a tournament.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Two this year. She is really on the move, getting serious. That is good for all those young players, so...

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that Anna Kournikova is bringing some different to tennis, just like a lot of other younger players do, and a lot of the older players. I think everyone is interested in what she is doing. And why else? Let's see. She is a good player. Interesting to watch. She has interesting things to say. Those are just some reasons. I'm sure she can tell you more. You'd probably like that. Will I be at the match tonight? No. I have to go. I was waiting a long time for my match. I thought it was going to be a little earlier, but I had to wait. This is it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, a lot of fun. All of the kids were very nice. They were cute. I like this chair, though.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Ignominy.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I love words. I really do. I have a dictionary I have had since '95. Whenever I learn a word I put a dot by it. I love words a lot. It is my pastime. Plus my dad told us we have to get a vocabulary; can't walk around without a vocabulary. You have to learn how to speak, so he got on us. I don't think Serena likes words as much as I do. She is always saying, wow, Venus, but I am the type of person -- she is more or less, I guess, in math. But, I don't know.