WIMBLEDON

July 3, 2001

Venus Williams

MODERATOR: Venus Williams. Who would like to start?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think maybe I got a little overconfident and then she started to play a lot better, and I felt a little rushed. But I was able to say, "You better calm down and get through it."

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I think they're quite nice. I think they're very nice, and very supportive. Get a lot of support here, a lot more than other places.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't remember. A lot of times you don't even hear the crowd. You're really just focusing on your thing. A lot of times I'm not thinking about the crowd.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I'm playing well already. I think today was just a different match because I was playing a serve and volleyer. She knew if she was going to beat me, she was going to have to come into the net because she wasn't going to be able to beat me from the line, from the baseline. But my passing shots were nice today, so that helps me out. But, you know, I think I'm ready. I'm feeling well. Especially in my Round of 16, I did a lot better than my first previous three matches.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I usually pick the higher-ranked player.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It helps my ranking (smiling).

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I have not played her before.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. Just a few points here and there.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, I think I have a shot against anyone, and who knows. But, like I said, I'll just play the winner. If she's the winner, I think that would be sweet for her. But we'll see.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'll be ready. I think maybe she hasn't been playing her best game. She's played a few tough players like Dokic. It was good to come through that match. But at this point I'm just focusing on myself, really just playing out there, showing no fear.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I mean, I think you have to talk to her about that. I'm just going to be quiet.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I haven't really spoken to her.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I'm playing okay. A year later, I'm a little bit wiser, I know a little more. I think can I get that kind of form again. Once you've done it once, you can do it again. That's what I feel like. You know what it takes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't think our games are different. None of us have switched from a two-hand to a one-hand or become a serve and volleyer. We're pretty much using the same weapons that we used last year. That's all.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I just think the key is I really wanted to win, I really did. I wanted it all for me. I think that was the whole key. She was a little off, too. She had back problems last year. And I don't think she played her best. But, I don't know.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I think serving well is important. But I think that even if I don't serve well, I can still win. A lot of times if I don't hit a big first serve, I can still rely on my speed to run down any ball. So I don't really feel threatened against my serve always.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, you know, it's not my role to criticize or tell her what she did wrong. I'm sure she knows what may have happened. I didn't really see the match. I saw like the last game. But, you know, yeah, sure, I love supporting her, all the way to the end.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, let's hope so. If I can't do it for myself, I'll do it for her.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she's a very good player. She has great groundstrokes, a good serve. I haven't really played her. Seems like Serena plays her. I just never had the opportunity yet.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Uh-huh, yeah.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she's playing well. I think she's playing a lot better than what she was about a year ago. But she was younger then. She's been through a lot more matches. She was at the French Open final, where she almost won, I guess. So I think she's come a long way since then. She's probably feeling good coming off of that match.

VENUS WILLIAMS: As far as what?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know (laughter). To stay healthy, that's one. If I can just keep playing on the tour, and without injuries, then I think I can do well. You know, ups and downs.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, because I didn't start myself in tennis. It wasn't like I was self-motivated. My dad started me. It was his dream before it was mine. So I think if it was the other way around, I would have different motivations. But for me, I just want to play tennis, I want to play well every time, give my best. When I'm done, I'm done.

VENUS WILLIAMS: To win Wimbledon in 2001.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, I think just playing better and better actually with all my matches. And I think really it's just about the person who's going to do the right thing at the right time, who's going to be willing to do it. So that should be my plan. Really right now I'm just ready for my semifinal.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't worry. I don't go to bed at night worried about it really. No, never crossed my mind.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I was just out there playing.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, no. I was just playing tennis. I guess once I got older, close to 10 or 11 or 12 is when I really started to be -- to really, I guess, like tennis or really realise what was going on. I really don't know, to be honest. I don't remember.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Wasn't that like the chief theme of Death of a Salesman, to be well-liked? What happened to them. So, I just think that you got to like yourself first. If that doesn't help, you've lost.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I read the book.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It was in high school.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I thought it was sad. I was waiting for the punch. And it was just -- I thought it was sad really because, you know, I think they live their lives in a way that could have been -- that was less than what it could have been. It was just a story, though. Thank God it wasn't real people.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess so. In general, I do use my power. I don't always -- I don't hit every ball as hard as I can. But for me I think it's a chief asset. Even today when I wanted to get a free point, put a little more mustard on the ball, it's mine. Not always, but in general it is. That's the way I play. I can mix it up. Whatever it takes, that's what I like to do.