US OPEN

August 29, 1998

Venus Williams

MODERATOR: Is everybody here? Questions for Venus, please.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I never made that decision.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It was just doubles. Women's doubles.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

MODERATOR: The report was regular doubles.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I had a lot -- a pretty good time. Not too much goes through my mind. I'm basically thinking about this year. Last year is finished.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think my chances are great.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I've progressed. Sometimes I don't think I have. It's because I like to get better than what I am currently. I think I have gotten better. You have to because everyone else gets better and it's up to you to stay with them.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Good, thank you very much.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think it's the same competitors basically. I think they're all playing better tennis definitely.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I generally don't concentrate on that because it's so important just to figure out what you're doing first, straighten out all the problems that you might have, just get things straight for yourself. In the end, you worry about someone else.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I haven't played yet.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think my serve is much better. It's moving faster, but, I guess that doesn't really make a difference always. I would say I'm much smarter; I think I play better shots. I make better selections. I know I win matches from my playing well or if I'm not supposed to win. So those are a couple things that have become better.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I honestly can't tell you the difference between -- I don't know the difference.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I just think that some rest and just regular stretching, things like that, making sure you take care of yourself. That's all.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't think it's long-term at all.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm somewhat pleased. I thought maybe I'd be higher up. But it's difficult when you're an athlete because you always want to be better. Sometimes you have to be happy where you're at, sometimes not very long. When you get there, then two days, four days later, it's time to move out of the position. I always want to do better.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm not going to be a full-time designer at this moment in time. I have seven different dresses that I'm wearing, seven different matches. That means I'll have to play seven matches. Also, I got to design the warm up that I have on now. I was able to pick the color. My favorite color is blue and yellow.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it's great. Everyone wants to see her come back. Everyone's routing for Steffi. When she goes out there she's probably really here to have a good time. She really wants to be there. She's probably enjoying it a little more. I can't speak for her, but we're all happy to see her.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No special techniques, not yet.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I saw it. I saw it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's a nice picture. I think I picked it out. I was happy with it. I was glad it turned out nice.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I played well last year, and this year I need to also play well like I did last year, do some of the same things, and just be a little bit more serious, work a little bit harder, and do some of the right things. I guess I couldn't do too much more right than what I did last year, maybe have a couple easier matches.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Four and a half. (Laughter) .

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, we like playing doubles very much so. We enjoy ourselves. Serena and I have never played a team sports like basketball or even baseball. We never really did that too much with a team. So doubles are kind of fun for us because instead of just one person on the court it's two persons and four persons so it's different. We like playing things, and we have good partners.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think Serena and I had the same thing on. We were twins, but I was a little taller. It was a lot of fun. It was different.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It means a lot. I think people definitely recognize what Arthur Ashe did and they try to make a better example to everyone around them. Serena and I can remember this also, make sure reevaluate ourselves, make sure we give our best because he did.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I know something about her. I couldn't say I know everything. But I do know some things about her.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think, definitely, she did more than what I could have done or what I have done. So to emulate her success would be great. And I think maybe like ten years from now I could look back and see what I might have done. I'm still in the process.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I have not studied the draw at all. I am quite aware that Serena is at the top now and I'm at the bottom. But that's about it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I did that before, didn't I? It's a great possibility. I'm going to encourage her; she's going to encourage me.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, it started a long time ago when we practiced all day. We did a lot of practicing. It was not very easy to comb your hair. So my mom braided our hair, and put beads on them. Then you don't have to do it for six weeks, you don't have to do your hair every day. It's very hard. I'm not that good at doing hair, I never really learned. I guess it's my fault, but that's why -- we like it. That's why I wear it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I've had color for a year and a half now. I haven't had white for a long time. So I was getting a little tired of the colors. I think I'm going to put a little more color in. It doesn't look right white. It's been a while -- because I haven't had it white for a long time.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I very long time.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, she aids me.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you all very much.

SECRETARY SLATER: I just want to make a presentation to Venus. This is one of our Buckle-Up America shirts, and I'm here with

Dr. Martinez, who is the head of our organization that deals with highway safety. And, Steve, my pleasure. Good meeting you as well, but the reason I wanted to take this opportunity is because with these two individuals and with all who will represent themselves and will represent the sport so well in the U.S. Open, which is the most prestigious tennis tournament in the United States, they celebrate life. And, unfortunately, we lose about 40,000 people annually in automobile crashes. And all too many of them are young people. And so we have this effort that's ongoing involving a network of champions, and we're going to try to encourage these two to join us in that regard. They will join Venus and Larry in getting the safety message out and in telling parents to buckle up and to buckle up their little ones, to put them in child safety seats, and if you have the opportunity to do so, always put a child who's below the age of 12 in the back seat of the car. And, again, buckle up and make their travels safe. Transportation is about more than concrete, asphalt, and steel; it's about life and our pursuit of happiness. Venus, I'd like to make this presentation to you and I'd like to wish you well in the tournament.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you.

SECRETARY SLATER: I also consider it really an honor and a pleasure to do this and to be here on Arthur Ashe kid's day. Mayor Dinkins, come on up, Mr. Mayor. Good seeing you, sir. But Arthur Ashe, as you know, was not only a great athlete, but like the individuals here, he was a great humanitarian; he was a great representative; he was a great advocate, and he represented all that is good about this country. And I think that's what these individuals represent and all these athletes who participate in the U.S. Open. So on behalf of our president and vice president who see safety as the number one transportation priority, I'm just here to say to America, buckle up, and use this most important safety device.

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