US OPEN

September 11, 1998

Venus Williams

Q. Did you ever feel like you were in the match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, sure. In the first set, I had all types of opportunities, just a matter of capitalizing on them. I think she did a better job of that today. She was more consistent, and ready to win.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that she was stepping into her balls well. She's probably been practicing using her power to her best advantage. And she's one of the more powerful players on the tour. So it's important to use what you have.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, it could be. Maybe like a year from now I'll admit it. But I think in the end, I should be able to play, too. I've been practicing. I should be able to come out and play ball. If I'm not ready, I should stay home.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that I was a little bit off balance. I just was unable to basically take the opportunities, because they were there, there for the taking. I said, "No, thank you." Pushed them away.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Pardon me?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, no. I think I made some errors, but I did try. I wasn't on the top of my game today. Definitely know I can play better, it's a definite.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. The tape just came off. I started to get it retaped, but I didn't think it would stick. But I didn't need any injury time-out, I was fine.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she played very well. I think that she had some bad areas in the match, but she was still able to come through, whereas I wasn't. I have to tell myself the truth so I can move onto better days. So that way it won't take me 5, 10, 15 or not at all to move ahead.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not at all. Self-explanatory.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I guess she's been pro for a little while now, like seven years or so. She definitely feels that she has the potential to be the best, just like anyone on the tour who wants to compete. So she's stepping up her game before it's too late. You don't want to be 25 or 26 before you can start reaching your best. You just want it now, do your best throughout your whole career. That's probably what she's feeling.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't think today she was returning very well. But also I don't think my placement was so good either, because if you're going to hit a ball that fast, you should at least place it, you shouldn't just say, "Here it is." But definitely she was returning better than what I was today.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Maybe I should have stayed in the hotel (laughter). I think I was ready today, but I don't think I should blame it on lack of experience. If you give someone a racquet, they should be able to use it. I didn't use mine that well today.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that my game plan was to be consistent and to try to take control of the points.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. Can't tell you. I won't be there, so (laughter). Unless I run on the court (laughter).

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. Probably be on a plane or something.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm entered in three more tournaments overseas. Also, I think I will be attending the Chase Championships. I see no way where I could be ousted. And probably I'll play the Grand Slam Cup, probably.

VENUS WILLIAMS: For sure I would like to have improved. I think there was definitely some winnable matches that I played that I didn't win. But like this year in the Slams, I got to the quarterfinals or better. Got to the semifinals here. I really have to work harder on being better.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I can't be disappointed. I can't spend my time being disappointed. I can spend my time planning for the next session.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, yeah, sure. What is this, my seventh Grand Slam? I haven't been through too many trials. I still have some to go through. But I'm trying to get myself together, more or less.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she might step into the ball more than what I do. I think I choose to use more topspin, and she uses the topspin also, but she flattens it out a little bit more. If I'm going to go cross-court, then I should definitely feel that I can stay in there with the person. If I don't, then maybe I should go down the line, hit a backhand.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I do.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, I think I'm a better -- this year or last year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely think I'm a better player. I didn't go backwards any at all.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think the crowds are great, definitely.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I'm deeply saddened that I didn't have the opportunity to wear my seventh dress.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm actually going to put that one in a coffin and bury it. It was red, white and blue. Of course, matching hair and nails. Maybe I could have got a new piece of jewelry for it, too. Who knows?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I would say she's had better results than what I have, have had. I haven't won a tournament since March.

VENUS WILLIAMS: She has had better results this year.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that I'm pretty solid right now. I think I have to just become a better player, make better decisions. Like today, I played okay, but I could have played better. I should really be able to bring my game up, especially at certain points in the match. And I'm getting much better at that as the time goes on. Just have to keep improving. That's all that you can do.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think no matter what I do this year, I don't think I could be No. 1, if I won every tournament that I entered. It's not plausible this year, I don't think. Just depends, you know, who loses points. I don't know. But it could happen this year. I think I just need to concentrate on each match.

VENUS WILLIAMS: What are you saying?

VENUS WILLIAMS: What are you saying?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: You mean, like by myself or with a dog or with Serena?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I'm getting older. I guess it's an option. I'm legally able to make decisions on my own at this age. I don't know. I'll live with Serena. We'll live together.

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