AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 26, 2001

Serena Williams

Venus Williams

MODERATOR: Questions for Venus and Serena.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It doesn't make a big difference to us. We're just happy to be in the draw. We realize we didn't have a ranking. After this, our ranking should be pretty good, actually. We like to play the top players. It's more fun, more of a challenge, you know, more points.

SERENA WILLIAMS: We'll get a ranking after this. You have to play three tournaments. We usually play with each other. Actually, we only play with each other. Last year we missed a few tournaments. We only play mostly in the Slams because when you play in the other tournaments, it gets to be too much, you get tired. It should be interesting to see where we're ranked after this.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's just the opposite for us. We love to play with each other. I can't imagine playing with anybody else. Just the way it is. We do so well together. I know no matter what I do out there, Serena's always going to be behind me and there for me.

SERENA WILLIAMS: We really just like to play with each other. We always get along. We never fight. We never really had that option. That was a good thing.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I was thinking about that the other day. I don't know. I would have to be in that situation, so I really couldn't say right now.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's tough to say because, you know, people already have partners a lot of the times, and sometimes they change. So whoever was available, I would say.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. This is no consolation. This is just a different event.

VENUS WILLIAMS: We love winning doubles. We didn't want to lose it all.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Like I said, this is a different event, not like a consolation for us at all, because we're really single players.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: In my opinion, I think it's just you guys really dramatize. I guess that's your job, selling papers, selling stories. But everybody wins, everybody loses. Not everyone can win every time. So she played good matches. It's not because she wasn't or was a power player; it's because she played good and she deserved it. So I don't think it has anything to do with whether she hits fast or whether I hit soft or anything like that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: A what?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, we should have been better prepared or better to compete more readily. It's yet early in the year. A lot of players do have a tough time early in the year.

SERENA WILLIAMS: It wasn't a blip, no. She played well both matches. Why not?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Nothing is a blip in a Grand Slam.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Nothing at all.

VENUS WILLIAMS: We're ready to compete. We know how to play. We know how to win Grand Slams. So does she. She moved on. It was good for her.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Old news.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think in a way we've already answered that question. You're just asking it a different tense. We've already answered that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Looking forward to every match that might come to me.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean. Like I say, it's old news, it's gone. There's nothing I can do about it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Nothing we can do about it unless we find some type of time machine. They just aren't available anymore, except in the movies (laughter).

VENUS WILLIAMS: I did all I could. Move on to the next Grand Slam or the next tournament. I hate to have any kind of loss on my record, no matter where it is.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, really.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Last year, at least I did, I played very good, playing consistent tennis for the last six months of the season, or the time I was playing. I just had a slow start this year, late-bloomer. But next year I'll be looking to come strong here.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not really. I know I can play. I never doubt myself.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I'm going home.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I miss my home.

VENUS WILLIAMS: What do I know? From the very beginning?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Australia was started as a penal colony in the beginning. They went on to become patriotic Australians, got their own accent, moved away from the British, and here we are.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes, I started feeling a little better yesterday. I had a slight relapse this morning, but I'm getting better. I just think I just need to go home. Maybe it's just -- I don't know. I just need to relax. I think I need to take some relax and go home.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, no. It's just a variation. You know, a girl's got to have a lot of things in their closet.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It would have been. Would have, should have. Those aren't definite words. I didn't.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's good he didn't take it any further.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't think too many ladies are coming out to be pure serve and volleyers, but there are people that are willing to come in. In the end, I think it's really important to have the groundstroke game, especially with today's powerful racquets, because if you don't have the groundstroke game to rely on, you have to keep worrying about coming and running to the net, and that can be a lot of pressure. The groundstrokes I think are the basics.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think when we were down 3-1, weren't we, in the third.

VENUS WILLIAMS: We couldn't get down too much further.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I just was very upset at that point. I was really ready just --.

VENUS WILLIAMS: To turn it around?

SERENA WILLIAMS: -- To turn it around basically. I was pretty disappointed at that, so I had to do something about it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Theoretically, we should have been on serve, but we weren't. Fortunately, we were able to get the break at the end and we were able to break back. But it was only a matter of one or two breaks. We were always exchanging breaks.