ROLAND GARROS

June 2, 2021

Serena Williams

Press Conference

S. WILLIAMS/M. Buzarnescu

6-3, 5-7, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. There's a lot of discussion right now of the role of media conferences and the responsibilities of journalists in them. Coming in to chat so soon after the match, what are your thoughts on post-match press conferences? Do you think they're the best way we can get insight or should we be exploring new ways instead?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I didn't pick any of that up.

THE MODERATOR: What do you think is the role of press conferences, if it's a good way for journalists to get insights from the players or should there be a different way to approach the players?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think press conferences definitely play their part. I think they're very difficult to do at times. I've had my run-in with journalists, so...

Venus said it best (smiling).

Q. Three sets today. You seem to have the number on Romanian players at the tournament. Talk about the third set. Looked like one-way traffic. Did it feel like that? When you look at the score line you figure it would have been.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, you know, I had some really good chances in the second set to win that if I would have won just one point here or there, like four or five times. It would have been a different second set.

I know going into the third I just had zero in on those one important points. If I could just take those, it would be an easier time for me.

Q. Your serve looked, at least from where I was watching, looked good today right from the start. Your assessment of where your serve was. Is there something that tells you early on in the match, warmup or once you start playing, today will be a good day for my serve or it doesn't feel great today?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I felt it was pretty good today. But I've been practicing my serve a lot. I've been playing in practice unbelievable on my serve. The other night was, wow. I'm glad it came better today.

My coach told me it's good that I'm doing it well in practice because eventually it will be good in the match.

Q. Can you talk to us about your next opponent, Danielle Collins. Can you talk about her mental resilience she's shown off the court.

SERENA WILLIAMS: She's been playing well. I played her in Australia actually. She plays well, especially when it's time to play, which is I guess all the time. She's also a really awesome person off the court.

I love seeing her in the locker room. Ideally it would be great if we didn't have to play each other, because I always want her to do super well, so... It's fine, though.

Q. After playing two matches, day and night, in Philippe Chatrier, can you tell us difference in terms of court speed, light, feeling the ball?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I seem to be getting a lot of bad bounces. I don't understand how to play on this stuff and not get these bad bounces. Maybe you just have to deal with them. Once I deal with them, I'm fine.

I don't know. Honestly, I'm tired. I've checked out (smiling).