US OPEN

August 31, 2022

Serena Williams

On-Court Interview

S. WILLIAMS/A. Kontaveit

7-6, 2-6, 6-2

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: For those of you who weren't here Monday night, you've got to see it tonight, a special message from a special friend.

Here it is.

OPRAH WINFREY: What is there to say? Years went by in a blink. '98 feels like yesterday. You've given us so much. All we can do is thank you. Thank you for making the bright lights brighter and the Big Apple bigger.

Thank you for showing us how to be graceful, powerful, fearless. Thank you for dressing to the 9s and bringing your dancing shoes. Thank you for turning Centre Court into Center Stage, for bringing the house down. Thank you for showing us what it means to come back and for never, ever backing down.

Thank you for changing the face of the game, for inspiring the next generation. Thank you for thinking outside the lines and encouraging us to evolve. Thank you for showing us how to love the sport and always loving us back.

Just know whatever you do next, we'll be watching. With love, all of us.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Come on up, Serena. Simply incredible. You are taking your time evolving away from tennis.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: What do you say about that?

SERENA WILLIAMS: You know, it's no rush here. I'm loving this crowd. Oh, my goodness, it's really fantastic. There's still a little left in me. We'll see, we'll see (smiling).

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: It looks like there was a little more than a little left in you. You've only played a handful of matches since coming back. You were off for a year. You just beat the No. 2 player in the world. How did you do it?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I'm a pretty good player (laughter).

You know, this is what I do best. I love a challenge. I love rising to the challenge. Yeah, I haven't played many matches, but I've been practicing really well. In my last few matches, it just wasn't coming together. I'm like, This isn't me.

The last couple matches here in New York, it's really come together. Maybe I should have traveled with you all for all those years.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Are you surprising yourself with your level at the moment?

SERENA WILLIAMS: What?

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: I know.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, I'm just Serena, you know, so...

You know, honestly after I lost the second set, I thought, Oh, my goodness, I got to give my best effort because this could be it.

Really I just wanted to just keep trying, see what I could do. Just do my best. I was just really excited, to be honest.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: It was super exciting for everyone. I want to ask you, Serena, how are you balancing your emotions with what this tournament, this US Open, means this year to you with wanting to win and with your competitive edge?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, yeah, I'm super competitive. Honestly, I'm just looking at it as a bonus. I don't have anything to prove. I don't have anything to win. I have absolutely nothing to lose.

Honestly, I never get to play like this since '98 really. Literally, I've had an X on my back since '99. It's kind of fun.

I really enjoy just coming out and enjoying it. It's been a long time since I've been able to do that.

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: You'll be back in a couple nights for singles. Guess what, you're going to be back out tomorrow night for doubles with Venus. How excited are you to step on this court with your big sister?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'm so excited for doubles. It's like it's been so long. We got to play again, we got to bring the reunion back.

I'm excited to play with Venus, get some more practice because I could use the matches (smiling).

MARY JOE FERNANDEZ: Congratulations, Serena. It was a phenomenal effort, match. This crowd loves you. They played every point with you. We'll see you tomorrow night.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much.