AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2001

Serena Williams

MODERATOR: Questions for Serena.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know how I'm still up and running right now really. I think I'm going on what I would like to call reserve. I practice, you know, my life from -- I'm 19 now, I've been playing for about 15 years, and so all the stuff that I stored up in the past 15 years is what I'm going on right now.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was strange because I didn't know what to do. I was feeling dizzy and just -- I just really didn't know how I was out there at that point. I wanted to know if there was like a tablet I could take because I didn't know, I had no idea.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. They gave me lots of fluids and some pink stuff that I could take. It really helped a lot because in the end I was able to get my feet moving. It really helped.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think it wore off definitely during the third set, you know, definitely after the second, yeah, for sure, and some time during the third, maybe the beginning of the third.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, not at all. I was feeling good. I thought I was feeling good. This is a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam, an opportunity to do well, because I usually play very well. I never second-guessed myself.

SERENA WILLIAMS: It was definitely very high quality. We both were running down a tremendous amount of balls. Martina was just really -- she really went on adrenaline and a lot of heart. That's what won it in the end, I think - I guess.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, for sure, I'm definitely very fit. Look at me. I just played a doubles match. I have food poisoning and I haven't eaten all day. I could play another match. I don't know why, I don't know how, but I'm very fit. I can keep going on.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think that was more problems with her technique, and she didn't go right at that. I told her I was disappointed in the way she played. She says she'll play better next time.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I really don't keep count of things like that. You know, those are the things that are in the past. You know, like I said, Martina really came through with a lot of heart, a lot of determination. That's what happened.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it definitely wasn't ability. I have the ability to beat anybody at any time. It definitely wasn't fitness. I just think Martina played a very good game. She started attacking and moving up, and she was able just to make more shots. I mean, I would assume that I had a lot of errors, I'm pretty sure I did, I usually do, and she was able to, you know, do what was right at the right times.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I haven't thought about it much yet. I really haven't had time to think about it. But now that you mention it, you know, I might have to start coming in more. If not, I'm going to have to, you know, do something. Maybe if every shot I don't come in, there will be just less things I can do, like shopping or something.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No (smiling).

SERENA WILLIAMS: That was, yeah -- that was my answer.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't see where it's difficult, no. I think all Grand Slams have 128 draw for singles, 64, I think it is, for doubles. I think they're all the same.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'll look at it as a match that Martina won. I was thinking about it at my doubles match. I told Venus, "Last time I lost a match like this at the Australian Open, I went on to, you know, dominate." Venus said, "You know what? I'm going to stay out of the tournaments you enter and not going to play them." I guess we know what to expect from now on. I learn a lot from each match, I go on. I learn a lot, yeah.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I really have no idea. I have no idea. I don't -- I wish I did.

SERENA WILLIAMS: My match before, I think it was Bedanova. I didn't realize it at the time, but I didn't eat before that. I just couldn't because everything I did, it would just come back up. I just went out there and I played a good solid match. Just the whole rest of that day and yesterday, I couldn't even practice, so.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I saw a doctor yesterday and today. They gave me some medication. You know, you guys don't have to worry, I'll be better. Martina played a great match today, so it was great for the fans and the press and everything.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know what it was, but I didn't like it. It was terrible.

SERENA WILLIAMS: It helped, unfortunately. Well, fortunately, but what a way to help.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I said Venus said she was not going to enter any tournaments that I am because we know what happened last time I played a match like this at the Australian Open.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I wouldn't suggest it, but hey (laughter).

SERENA WILLIAMS: I have a tournament overseas, then I'm going to do the American tour.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I believe I have that tournament.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, Venus, I had a long talk with her in the locker room. You know, she's promised not to do a game like that anymore. She'll definitely be in better form tomorrow. Unfortunately, I'll be in the stands, you know, cheering her on instead of taking her on.