WIMBLEDON

July 2, 2001

Serena Williams

Q. That looked pretty comfortable. Were you happy with your match?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I guess you can say I was happy to win that match, for sure, yeah.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I feel real good about it. You know, it's about time I start playing better. I love this surface. Why not?

SERENA WILLIAMS: The last time I didn't play. I think it was someone impostering (sic) me. I was hitting a lot of errors and going crazy. This time I just need to make sure I'm out there performing and I'm not making all those errors, playing the way Serena Williams knows how to play.

SERENA WILLIAMS: She's definitely raised her level a lot, obviously, to win two Grand Slams in a row. Yeah, playing great.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, not at all. I'm definitely playing a bit better this year, or maybe -- no, I think every year I improve. Last year I was playing pretty much immaculate tennis. But this year, I don't know, maybe -- I don't know. Score lines are kind of the same. I'm just trying to make it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I really don't know. I try to put things behind me and move on. So, I don't know, it was a tough loss for me. That one was a tough one for me to put behind.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, it's normally easy for me to put things behind me. Usually I insist that they never happen. Obviously, in some cases like that, I know that they happen (laughter). But some things, you know, "Hey, that wasn't me."

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I don't know. I just -- I was so dissatisfied with the way I played. I've been more determined after that match. That's something that I don't want to put behind me because I want to remember all the bad things that I did in that match so I can improve the next time.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, no. I'll be thinking about, you know, this match, hopefully making it happen.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Actually, hard court's my favourite surface. I love the grass, but I grew up on hard.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think against any player on any surface, I have a great chance.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, my dad and I discussed how in the Slams, especially in the early rounds, I tend to fly through my matches. So we're working on a plan on doing some things that we'll work on in practise, so when I do play a harder player like I did against Venus in the semis or maybe Capriati now, then I'll be ready, and then I won't be so just used to getting, you know, more the players that weren't hitting that hard. These players hit a bit harder. Get a few more balls back.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I think I just prep myself mentally and keep reminding myself that this is Wimbledon, this is not your normal tournament. When I think about that, I really want to play better.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, yeah, I might get that whiplash, so I have to pull it back, turn it up, twist it around so it doesn't look that long.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, right now I'm really ready. It's been a minute (sic) since I won a Grand Slam. I'm really focused. Before I got here, I really went home and I worked really hard. I just really think I might deserve this.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, for sure. I usually watch her matches, some of the things she does, I make notes to make sure I do it in my next round. You know, she has a good record against all the players out here, so I usually make sure I watch her, you know, learn from "Big Sis."

SERENA WILLIAMS: From Venus, I would say it would have to, again, be staying calm - wouldn't be able to tell if Venus was winning or losing in a match. I think just the way she does that, it's great.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah. I already brought my dress. I have a couple more rounds to think about that first. I always usually bring my dress ahead of time because I know I'm going to be there because I know I'm going to win an event. This year I'm definitely trying to win the singles event.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, no, this one is more stylish, more funky, more trendy. It's not as bally.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I finished it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Venus really enjoyed the book. Out of a 10, I give it about a 6 or a 7. I think Venus gave it like a 9 or a 10. I didn't enjoy it as much as she did.

Yeah, I'd recommend it. It was a good read.

SERENA WILLIAMS: It was the "Eye of Rah" by Mike Asher, A-s-h-e-r.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I know it seems that way with tennis and books. I guess so.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, we enjoy doing all kinds of -- lately I've been, you know, of course fashion. Like, I have a sketch book that I carry around with me that I try to sketch things, make it happen like that. What else? That's about it.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, no. When we're together, we usually just talk and laugh, reminisce. We're so young to be reminiscing (laughter). "I remember those days."

SERENA WILLIAMS: With the most style? I never really thought about that, honestly. I think a lot of people, their company puts style in them, makes them wear style. But as for like when I see them off the court, I'm a critic, there I go again, "Oh, no, wrong shoes." That's what a fashion person does. I don't know. I know a lot of people are out there really trying, but they're not doing it right.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Of course not (laughter).

SERENA WILLIAMS: I could. I would like to do that. I would do a good job. I would be a good stylist, a good fashion stylist, what to wear, what not to wear. Maybe if your body type isn't for certain dresses, maybe you shouldn't wear them.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Not too much. Like my dress just has like a green trim around it, and I've added the little butterfly that it was self sewn on to give it a little excitement. I think Wimbledon, I like walking on the court with a white dress, then the green grass, I just think it's beautiful. I think maybe you can stick to a small trim, maybe not black, maybe a different colour, because everyone does black. I think that would be nice.

SERENA WILLIAMS: That's preposterous (smiling).

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I think I'm most critical of -- I think my serve. I mean, yeah. I'm definitely most critical of my serve, for sure.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I knew yesterday.

SERENA WILLIAMS: That's okay (smiling).