NASDAQ-100 OPEN

March 24, 2002

Serena Williams

THE MODERATOR: First question for Serena, please.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think everything is changing. In the past, at one point in time it was consistency that mattered. Martina Navratilova came and brought in a different game. As years go on, people change the game. I just think now, the more stronger you are, you might have a bigger disadvantage -- I mean a bigger advantage. But then, you know, you still have your younger players out there who aren't hitting as hard, but they're just consistent and don't make mistakes and can win. I think it's good to have a good mixture of both. (Inaudible) . A power game is harder to develop and it takes longer to get to where you need to be.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I really don't know. I think that the scene of everything is changing. I would have to say that stronger players are getting more advantage. But you can't be strong and hit with a lot of power balls and not have consistency or be able to run well. I think you have to have a very good balance for both.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah, definitely. It was hot out there. I usually practice when I'm at home around eight or nine. Then sometimes I come out a little later. I'm running late a lot. But I got more than enough.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I was off for - until, like, some time late February or mid February. I didn't really practice. I couldn't do any cardio, besides the bike. And so I was just chilling.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I'm never surprised when I go to a tournament. I usually go in expecting to win. But at Scottsdale I had the flu, and it was just -- I was just really nervous about playing some matches. I was thinking, "Wow, I really hope I can get through it." That was really good for me because I was really sick. When you're sick, it's hard to breathe. You can't run for long. That's what I liked most about Scottsdale. That was really nice.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I didn't get to defend any of my points. I didn't get to gain any points, so that's a negative in that way. But at the same time I get to rest - God knows I love to rest and relax.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Never, never. Because people are always fighting hard and want to win. I mean, the score line looks like I won really easy, but she really was playing. She really was trying. I just think I kind of just mentally was able to go over her.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I played Meghann at Sydney, but I wasn't able to finish the match. I've never played Marissa. We all grew up together - me, Venus and Marissa Irvin, a couple other people, (inaudible). Who else in particular? A couple people. And Alexandra Stevenson. We all grew up together. I never played Marissa in the Juniors. Venus also played her. If I get to play her, it will be fun. Just old memories and everything. If I play Meghann, that will be great, too. So doesn't really matter to me.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Not really. Those days are over. I sometimes, when I'm talking to Alex, we do. But, no, not really, nah.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think it's the sun, because it used to be a little bit darker. Not much. But I think it's the sun maybe.