WIMBLEDON

July 4, 2000

Serena Williams

MODERATOR: Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Serena has a pretty tight schedule because she has to play doubles, has more TV. If we can make it relatively quick. Who has the first question?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon for the first time in my career, only my second go at Wimbledon. That's pretty exciting. I'm happy.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Today I think is one of the best matches I played in my career so far. Usually I played a match, you know , I did really well in the first set, but then I slacked off a little second, or maybe I did good in the second, didn't do so good in the first. Today I played pretty well mostly the whole way through.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Nothing much. You know, we were just both really happy that she was able to come through also.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it really is. I'm feeling very excited, very happy, feel like I can make anything happen.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Actually, I think that's one of the happiest, besides when Venus had the run at the US Open, that I've seen her after a match. Usually she's, "Okay, yes." This time she was pretty happy. That was very exciting for our whole family.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I guess we're still kind of really trying to soak it up. That's not the word I was looking for, but that will do.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, not at all. I'm really just happy to play another match. I haven't really played her that much in my career. It's just another meeting between the both of us.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. You would have to ask him. I don't know. I think he's just going to tell us what we need to work on. Basically we'll just go ahead and do that. One Williams will definitely be in the finals for the first time.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes, there is no sibling rivalry between the two of us.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, obviously, I mean, how can you say that? "Oh, I don't want to win, but I want you to win." It's not too much like that. It's like, "I want to win." If I don't win, I'm sure I'm going to be sad, go home, work on a couple different things, see what I can do better. It's just like a regular match.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I definitely think so. It would have been more exciting as a final. Unfortunately I was not able to be on the other side of the draw. That's just the way it turned out.

SERENA WILLIAMS: He didn't come to mine until in the second set. I don't know how he worked that out. I think maybe he wanted to be there in the beginning for Venus' match, come to see what was happening on my court maybe.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, he did not. I'll have to get it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Not really. Venus has always been so calm, so just like a monotone type person, she's just so calm. Whereas me, I'm on the other end of the stick. I'm really excited, always, you know, going crazy. I think we really balance each other out, especially when we're playing each other.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I did have a problem with cheating when I was younger.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Sometimes now (smiling).

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, not from Venus' side, no. That's all I can say.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes.

SERENA WILLIAMS: It was very exciting. At that time I was like, "Wow, I want to play." Really back then I wanted it more than anything to be on the tour, to be able to play, compete in some matches. I think that's why I was able to do so well in the beginning. Not only did I get to see Venus and her mistakes, I just really wanted it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I kind of played the way I did today. I was just really focused the whole time, throughout. I really played well the last time I played her at the Grand Slam Cup.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah. I think me more than Venus because she's slightly older and has a little more experience than me.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Maybe.

SERENA WILLIAMS: That's really hard to say. I don't know. I don't think we'll both be playing our best. I have yet to really show my best tennis. Hopefully I will be able to do that soon. Venus has yet to play her best tennis. Although, I think I'm playing much better here than I was in the US Open or any other tournament I've played in my life. I'm definitely playing a little better, but it's not my best.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Not at all. Not at all. To be honest, I was really unhappy with the way she played. I would talk to her about it - I don't know (laughter).

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I mean, I was happy that she won. I was happy that she played some points. Overall, I think -- she thinks also she could have played a lot better, obviously.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, she has a big serve. Gosh, very tall. She's an Ace. I'm Mama Smash.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. We're really strong. Venus has had a lot of tough three-set matches in her career. So have I. I don't know. I know for a fact I'm really there, but so is she. It's like we're really even. We meet our match whenever we play each other.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I'm the Smash, and Venus is an Ace. I'm a Smash.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, for sure, obviously. But Martina was playing what she does best, getting the balls back, doing what she does really good. That's what she did. Venus kind of lost it a little. She had a little problem with her serve.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Actually, we know at least one of us will be in the next round. We're going to give it our all when we're out there.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Again, I don't know. You'd have to ask them. I can't imagine. I know I would be heartbroken if my little Jackie had to play my Star. Those are my two dogs. I mean, yeah, sometimes a good competition, because Star is faster (laughter). Sorry.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Did he?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. Maybe it's too much pressure on him. I don't know. It's probably the same reason I wouldn't watch my dogs.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think I needed a tough match. I think I got it today. Lisa was playing some really good tennis. I've never seen her play that well actually. Till the last point, she kept moving her feet, she was serving, she was volleying, doing everything perfect.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think she played well. I just played slightly better maybe.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. Tennis is just a game. Family is forever. I can only play sports, tennis, for ten years. Ten years from now I don't think I'll even be playing. I don't want to ruin something that should last a lifetime versus something that just lasts a couple years.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't think I have an advantage. Venus has been to the finals before. She's been to the semifinals before. We're both really experienced. I'm glad that we both are pretty much experienced at this point.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, because I love to win. She was bigger and stronger. She had unfair advantages.