NASDAQ-100 OPEN

March 31, 2005

Venus Williams

THE MODERATOR: First question for Venus, please.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely. But, as they say, no one's ever lost a match from the stands. I just, I think the first problem for me was just I was so tired today. I don't know why. I'm usually not tired. I was just so tired. I think sometimes I went for a shot too quickly because my energy level was low. So sometimes I had some bad shot selections. But other than that, I thought my return could have been better. Definitely missed a few returns. But all in all, it was just a match that was all about the errors I made. When I was not making the errors, I felt things were going my way. I definitely had the speed to run down almost any ball that was going to come on my side.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she played fairly consistent, definitely. Definitely.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I have to stop making so many errors (smiling).

I think it's as simple as that. But for me it's always been as simple as that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, no, I don't think so. I don't think so. The thing in tennis is you always have another match, so I'll have another match soon against somebody.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Uhm, I guess it was nice, it was a nice atmosphere. I was pretty much focusing on what I had to do. Definitely trying to take my time.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not at all, I didn't lose any passion.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No regrets because I don't like that tournament.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Uhm, yeah (laughing).

VENUS WILLIAMS: We talked about a number of things, but I haven't talked to her, you know, recently. I really don't know what's going on. I don't want to say anything I'm not supposed to say, so I don't want to talk about it (laughing).

VENUS WILLIAMS: Did a press release come out today or something?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, okay. I guess I can talk, can't I? I don't know. Like I said - I didn't say like I said - but as I will say, the US team is a strong team. Obviously, if Serena or Lindsay are unable to play, I'm definitely a good member to fill in the shoes. I think she feels confident about that. It's just I don't think necessarily a matter of, "This player's better or not," it's just kind of going by the ranking.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. It's just so hard these days that I try to only say things that I definitely will do. I won't be able to comment on anything further than this tie.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I didn't say that. But I'm telling you, yeah.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, i didn't say that to her.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I am definitely executing very well. Like I said, today I just had a little energy level -- I just think that -- I don't know why. It happens to me sometimes, but I don't know why this tournament or this match. So it's kind of bad luck for me.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I mean, that was two days ago almost. Like I said, I don't know why, because normally I'm not tired even after very long matches. And it's not a matter of me being out of shape, I just didn't have the energy today.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not necessarily. We give each other advice and motivate each other for sure. I think this was a great tournament for me. I'm glad I had a chance to play Serena. I'm glad I had a chance to play this match today. I think every match is very important for me because I'm pretty much willing to do what it takes on the court. Obviously, today Maria played some good tennis. She definitely played good at the right points, so I wish her the best of luck in the final.

VENUS WILLIAMS: When I have off weeks, you know, I train. When I'm playing, like, tournaments, there's usually not a lot of time for training. It's matches and practice and rest.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I hit in the morning, I try to train in the afternoon. But some days I take it easy, too. So it's a cycle. Like, my life is really unpredictable, so I don't know what the next day might bring.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah, most certainly. I think the reason that I can get better is because I'm an athlete. I got, I guess, really good genes from my mom and dad. I got really fortunate. I just feel like with my ability, that I can always get better. If I wasn't very athletic, I'd probably say no, I probably can improve my mental or my technical side, which of course each person can; that's being honest about it. So I definitely don't see a plateau for myself or Serena.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I was a little too far behind the baseline. So when I had a chance to go for some shots, I was too far behind to put a pressure shot per se. So I think next time I'll stay a little closer to the line. Like I said, I just felt this was a good match for me because I probably shouldn't have made so many mistakes, but I'll remember not to next time.

VENUS WILLIAMS: 'Cause I guess I have a lot of things going on. People are always calling, you know: "Can you do this?" "Can you do that?" "Please come here." "Please come there." "Do this." "Do that." I definitely try to keep a balance and I put the tennis first, but there's a number of yeses that have to be said. So I never know what phone call I'm going to get.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Usually. Usually. But things come up like you wouldn't believe, and a lot I'm obligated to do for certain reasons. Usually -- of course, I make my schedule three months out. I make my schedule in October for the first half of the year. I tell people, "Tell me in October, then I can book you. But if not, you know, I cannot guarantee." But of course things do come up. And there it is.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Is this a bad loss?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, did she? Oh, yeah. I keep up with my career more or less (laughing). Obviously, she's had some great times. Everybody is guaranteed to have some bad times, too. But if you realize that's the cycle of life, you'll be fine.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I was just telling myself, "Wow, V, I really, you know, made it so hard on myself out there. Not only did I have to play my opponent, but I also had to play against me." That's hard to do the whole match. You know, I have to be kinder to myself, basically.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I try to come in when it's appropriate. I'm not necessarily a serve-and-volleyer, but I try to come in when it's appropriate. I feel very positive about my game personally. I'm very excited about my next tournaments coming up. I'm very excited about going on to the clay court season. I feel like today, yes, I didn't win this match, but it's behind me. I feel like I had a lot to do with that. I feel like I played a good player, and I'm going to run into a lot more good players and I'm going to win a lot more matches, too. That sums it up.