WIMBLEDON

June 25, 2003

Venus Williams

MODERATOR: Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Venus Williams.

VENUS WILLIAMS: That was just a wonderful shot. I was just trying to run for every ball and go for everything. I just tried to do what it took. That was real, real fun. But she was really serving well and trying to put the pressure on, so it was real close in that first part of the set.

VENUS WILLIAMS: That definitely helped. I think that point was 15-Love or 40-Love. I don't know. But it helped me definitely break her serve for the first time in the match.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'm feeling good, you know. I'm going out for the doubles later. Really what I have to do is just soak myself in ice (laughter), warm up those stiff joints because I'm older than what I used to be at 23.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, just depends if it's a good day or a bad day, just like any other player, icing just to make sure that nothing happens or flares up.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm definitely feeling good about my game. I feel good about myself at all times. That's enough for me.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm definitely competing for every point. I'm definitely trying to focus. I understood how she would come out and play me. I've played her before and I've seen her play other top players also. So I knew she'd come out and give it her all, go for broke, so I had to be ready for that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, nothing really bothers me on court, mistakes or anything else. But I'm just really trying to think my way through the match.

VENUS WILLIAMS: That's definitely not my focus at this point. For sure the third round at this point, the doubles first round. I think I'm not going to put any pressure on myself to have to win a title. I know that I have the ability to win anywhere that I play, so I'll just have to go out there and play better than the next person every single time.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Gladys Heldman, she was definitely part of the beginning of the women's tennis tour. I guess what I know most about her is what I read in books. I think I had a chance to meet her once. I didn't know that she passed away. I'm sorry.

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, that was kind of before my memory started (laughter). I remember them. I don't really remember them ever playing each other.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely consider myself a Martina, just a go-getter, more aggressive. But also I guess I'm like Chris, too, you know, I'm not really emotional out there on the court. But both are real champs. What I remember is Chris' last match. That's what I remember of her career. Martina, I guess in the '90s is when I really start remembering stuff. I was eight, nine, six, in the '80s, so it was hard.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I have no idea. I'm just doing my best every day to play good, look good, whatever it takes (laughter).

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, for sure. For me, it's important. I don't know about anyone else. I think for Serena it's very important.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think we were taught to try to look good. You know, my mom. If you don't look your best, someone else will.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it will happen. It will happen. It's a long time from now. I guess you guys will still be here - I won't (laughter).

VENUS WILLIAMS: Pretty similar, I think. I think there's a few places where it could be different. I guess whoever would pick who would just have a natural affinity towards myself or Serena just because whatever.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, it's never fun to be No. 4, especially if you've been No. 1 before. I just wasn't able to keep up with the amount of tournaments they played, I guess, to sum it up.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'll do my best to get back in the rankings. I'm not going to significantly -- I'm not going to play 25 tournaments. I just wouldn't be able to. I think I'd die on the court. But I do plan on playing consistently year after year, which is extremely important also.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I didn't see the match, but I heard a whole lot about it, and not just from I guess -- I guess, mostly from fans also. Everyone who comes up to me tells me how they thought it was terrible. They've been really supportive about just Serena and myself in general also. So that's been nice. But, you know, I guess I'll have to talk to Serena about it, how to handle those situations. I didn't see the match. I'm sure she handled it well as far as her tennis, but there's probably some things you can do to calm the crowd down.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think for sure the fitness changed a lot. I think a lot of it had to do with Serena and I because, you know, I was like 16, I came out hitting these 116 serves, running and jumping like no tomorrow, then everyone else started to realize, too, they had to up the serve and the pace. Then Serena burst on the scene and did just unbelievable things. This is always a good thing. I'm glad that I was able to be a leader in fitness and in tennis for women. I'm glad that other people have been able to take it to another level, and so will I have to keep taking it to another level to compete.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Probably why, yeah. I don't see how so many people -- I guess he was there. I wasn't really thinking about an interview at all.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I still wouldn't change anything that I did. I wanted to play the French Open. I just had to. And as far as doubles here, it's another kind of thing I had to do. I love the doubles, especially at Wimbledon. And I miss the doubles. And I had to play. You know, for some reason if I can't continue or if it puts me in jeopardy for my singles, I'll have to make that decision at that point. But I just had to play. Usually I start out serving, so Serena will start out serving, so I'll have to hit less serves.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It will be a change, but I know she's up to it (smiling).

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's definitely nice. I don't look up to the box a lot, but it's nice, especially if I'm down in a match, I can hear them saying, "Come on, Venus. Do better, Venus." Just to have that support, because at times you know how bad you're playing and you feel a little bit down because you know you can do better. But if you have someone, family, coach, what have you in the box telling you it's okay, it helps a lot.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I don't think since like maybe in Miami. But I didn't stick around long there.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm not even sure. I'm just not super concerned about how the next player's training and hitting and what have you. But I think everyone, for sure, has gotten better as far as the physique and the service pace and athleticism, for sure.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Can I get back to you on that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm thinking about it, okay.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think everyone's definitely trying to get more stronger. I don't think necessarily bulkier. I don't think I could bulk up if I wanted to. I don't think I could. I could stay in the gym for the rest of my life, I'd never get bigger. So for me, my strength is just something natural, something I was born with, something from mom and dad really.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, as of recently I've seen a lot of players. Really just the tone and definition has gotten a lot more distinct.

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I've been listening to all the commentary on that. I have no idea. I've just wondered if there's enough playing opportunities because of the weather here and because of the winter, if there's enough indoor courts, what have you. I heard I think John Felgate, he was doing an interview, saying how a lot of the kids are in school, which is extremely important, but then they don't give enough time also to the tennis. As they get older, they have more time, but then it's maybe late. I'm not sure of the habits of the youngsters growing up here, so it's hard to comment on it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Am I surprised?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess, you know, during the first few days, that's all there is on TV, the British tennis, so I've been able to watch the results. I like to watch any match, as long as it's a good match.

VENUS WILLIAMS: One person to beat? I don't know if it's open. I think everyone's pretty much performed to a good level, at least on the part of the draw I'm in. I guess the person to beat is whoever I'm playing in the third round.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not at all. No, nothing to fear on the tennis court.