FED CUP - BELGIUM VS. USA

April 23, 2005

Zina Garrison

Venus Williams

Q. Venus, were you rushing a little bit? Looked like you were kind of ahead of yourself on a few shots and maybe rushed a few shots out there. Were you playing a little quicker?

VENUS WILLIAMS: What was the question?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, sometimes I do rush. I think that's probably one of my weaknesses. But I had Zina on the sidelines, reel me back in. I love you, Zina.

CAPTAIN GARRISON: I love you, too (laughter).

CAPTAIN GARRISON: It's funny, Venus is probably one I talk to a little bit more because first and foremost I think she wants it, for me to talk a little bit more. But I do try to calm her down. I think today she was rushing a little bit. It's difficult. May not seem to you guys, but the wind was moving a lot. You know, when she practiced earlier, it was still. So all those conditions and things you have to get used to, as well.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, she definitely gave me a head start. It's always nice to start out with a head start. I definitely played Fed Cup where one of my team members didn't win the first match. Either way, not much I can do for Lindsay or all the other players, except to support them the best I can during the week and during the match. Once I get on the court, I've got to try to control that environment and contribute the best I can. But I'm glad she gave us a lead.

CAPTAIN GARRISON: Definitely. I've been saying it, they've been saying it to each other, they're very aware of it. They've not only been supportive as team members just in front of you guys, but they're also very supportive when they're talking among themselves. In order to bring back the Cup, they're very clear that they need to come together. I think, you know, they've all put theirselves on the line in coming here. And as far as the Serena question, you know, I am really looking toward Beverly Livingston, which is our physio. You know, we just want to make sure that everything is right before she goes out there. So I'll talk to Serena later and see what might happen.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that we can't be afraid of the future. That's that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think each player definitely has their preference. And it's sometimes hard to accept change. But I guess I'm after the cheese (laughter). If the cheese moves, then I'm going for it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I just felt I had a little few too many errors, and she definitely hadn't gotten her rhythm. But I guess so, that was a fair description you just had. Thank you.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Ultimately, as a member of the team, I'm ready to play any time. That's the first part. The second part is that I was ready to play once I saw Serena's twisted ankle. The third part is, I never asked Serena whether she was going to play or not. I just was ready. So it was really down to the wire, that last moment. Zina was like, Serena, take care of yourself. Guess what, Team B was in.

CAPTAIN GARRISON: A strong Team B.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Strong Team B.

CAPTAIN GARRISON: I think it's been great. I mean, like Venus said the other day, we have to play each and every match. We have to finish it. It's not over, you know, till you finish. Lindsay has a very clear understanding of that. Corina and also Serena. I guess it starts from the top. I consistently keep saying that, "Let's finish it first, then we'll worry about where we're going."

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that the only way it can be successful is that each player has the same opportunity to question a call. You have to think that technology usually makes sports better, and life in general - not always, but usually. I'm kind of okay with it, as long as it's accurate.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that unlimited questioning would not be the right thing because dishonesty is very rampant these days. So we have to be careful because you just never know who's going to be pretending and who's not (laughter). But I'm honest.

VENUS WILLIAMS: What do I think? I think when she gets a chance, she definitely gives a whack to the ball. She probably doesn't have the experience that both Lindsay and I have. That definitely will be a factor. But, you know, they always say, one point at a time. That's all you can do.

CAPTAIN GARRISON: I think first and foremost, I think my personality fits really well with pretty much everybody. I'm low-key, very opinionated. I'm soft spoken, but when I speak, I speak. I think each one of the players, they respect that and they understand that. I think the other part to it is that each and every one of them are true champions, and they want to learn and they want to know something, they want to be the best, they want to perform the best when they go out there. I think when you have that, you have to expect that ego is part of it, pride is a huge part of it, and that's what makes them them.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Seems like the direction of unlimited is not going to happen. I would probably say limited for each set. Seems more likely at this point.