THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2022

Serena Williams

Press Conference

H. TAN/S. Williams

7-5, 1-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Serena, tough one today. Can you give us your thoughts on the match.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was really tough. I mean, I had some chances to win that first set. You know, didn't work out, so... Yeah, it was just, yeah, different, totally different for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I'm sure you're disappointed to lose tonight, but given the way you went out last year with the injury, if this is the closing chapter on your Wimbledon career, can you be satisfied with that ending, a fight to the last?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, it was definitely a long, a very long battle and fight. It's definitely better than last year, that's a start, so...

Q. Was there enough that you can draw from this match that makes you want to go on through the summer? The crowd cheering for you, you talked about a good memory. What do you want to do next?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I don't know. I mean, obviously the summer -- we're in the summer now, right in the swing of it.

Like I said coming into this, I'm just planning for right now, seeing how I feel, just to go from there.

Q. Do you think it's more likely than not that you won't come back? Would that be your last singles match, do you think?

SERENA WILLIAMS: That's a question I can't answer. Like, I don't know. I feel like, you know, I don't know. Who knows? Who knows where I'll pop up.

Q. What did you find most challenging physically and what did you find most challenging mentally in your return after a year away?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think physically I did pretty good. You know, I think the last couple points, I was really suffering there (smiling).

But, yeah, I feel like in just those key points, winning some of those points, is always something mentally that you have to have, that you kind of need. I did pretty good on maybe one or two of 'em, but obviously not enough.

So, yeah, I just think, yeah...

Q. Do you attribute that mostly to being away so long?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, absolutely. I think if you're playing week in, week out, or even every three weeks, every four weeks, there's a little bit more match toughness.

But with that being said, I felt like I played pretty okay on some of 'em, not all of 'em. Maybe some key ones I definitely could have played better. But, you know...

You got to think if I were playing matches I wouldn't miss some of those points or this match.

Q. Your shirt reads, 'Be the Game Changer'. How do you think Serena Williams over the years has been the game changer?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, you just don't be afraid to be different. Don't be afraid to stand out. Yeah, I think that's been me. I love changing the game. I think that's something that I never kind of set out to do, and then somehow I did it. Somehow I'm Serena. That's pretty awesome.

Q. Just to follow that question. In general terms, how do you sum up the legacy that you've left at Wimbledon over the last 20 years?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I'm not summing it up. But if I were to say, I think I've been pretty solid on the grass (laughter). Maybe not today, but pretty solid out there.

Q. Obviously you don't know, we don't know, if you will be back next year. I understand that. If that is your last memory of Wimbledon, are you okay with that being your last memory?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Obviously not. You know me. Definitely not.

But today I gave all I could do, you know, today. Maybe tomorrow I could have gave more. Maybe a week ago I could have gave more. But today was what I could do.

At some point you have to be able to be okay with that. And that's all I can do. I can't change time or anything, so... That's all I could do on this particular day.

Q. How difficult is it to play someone like her where she's hitting slice from both sides, dropshots, she's not giving you rhythm? Do you have hitting partners that will sort of help you prepare for something like that?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, no, I didn't. Yeah, I definitely didn't -- I think I could have played any person, probably would have had a different result. But I was not ready for -- I mean, I was ready for it. I knew going into it there was a lot of slice, but not so much on the forehand, et cetera. Definitely had to try to find my rhythm out there.

You know, hindsight is 20/20.

Q. Obviously a disappointment from the loss, but what parts of tonight did you enjoy? I think the crowd was with you so much. I know we enjoyed some of the fist pumps and reactions. Where did you get to reflect on what you were doing as it happened?

SERENA WILLIAMS: You know, I really was out there and I was fighting and doing what I could do. I was calm, you know, 'ish' for me. I wasn't angry. That was a huge win for me, biggest win ever. And I didn't smash any racquets.

Q. The atmosphere was amazing, especially the last set. Can you sum up what it was like to play in front of a crowd like that again after quite a long time.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was nice. I mean, going through COVID and then injury, it was really good to see that crowd. I got a snippet of it last year, but I didn't get to quite fully experience it.

But, yeah, it was an incredible, incredible crowd. I was just so happy to be out there playing in front of them. I was just so grateful for the claps and the cheers, yeah, for everything.

Q. Did you surprise yourself tonight in a good way, in the way you was moving on the court physically? It was a good surprise? Is it a promise for the next of the season?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think like I said, physically I was fine. Last couple points I really started to feel it. But I'm moving well, I'm getting a lot of balls back. I'm moving well in practice, as well.

That wasn't surprising for me because I knew I was doing that well. I didn't practice for, you know, a three-hour match, so... I guess that's where I went wrong.

Q. I know you don't know what's next, but does this make you want to hit the practice courts as soon as possible, or take some more time off? What is the immediate kind of reaction you feel?

SERENA WILLIAMS: It definitely makes me want to hit the practice courts because, you know, when you're playing not bad and you're so close. Like I said, any other opponent probably would have suited my game better.

So, yeah, I feel like that it's actually kind of like, Okay, Serena, you can do this if you want.

Q. Any part of you want to play the Grand Slam of your home country this September?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean, when you're at home, especially in New York, and the US Open, that being the first place I've won a Grand Slam, is something that's always super special. Your first time is always special.

There's definitely, you know, lots of motivation to get better and to play at home.

Thank you.