Serena Williams – 06.06.2013

TENNIS – 2013 Roland Garros: S.Williams d Errani 6-0 6-1


Q.  You have mentioned a couple of great Grand Slam performances in the past,
but you had 40 winners of your 52 points.  That's got to be right up there
with one of your best, no?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Definitely.  Those stats are really good, I think, and very
consistent.
So, yeah.

Q.  I think you won your last 12 matches against Maria in the last 11.  She's
only taken two sets off you.  Does that put you in a position where you get
extra confidence from that, or is it something you don't take into
consideration?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Not really right now, because it's a different time, a
different era, just a different match.  It's a brand new match, so definitely
don't take it.
But we have played a lot.  Just gotta do the best that I can.

Q.  You're not over the final hump yet, but could you just talk about what it
would mean to you with your apartment here and your French coach and your
practicing your language skills, all that, just to finally, you know, succeed
here and also because it's been so long since you've won.
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, it would awesome for me.  I don't think there's
anything that can describe how happy I would be.
But right now it's still a dream.  I still have another match to play -
hopefully to win.
So it's still not -- you know, two people are still fighting for the
championship.

Q.  From the fundamentals of your game are pretty obvious and well known.  We
saw you execute a couple of great dropshots, a fabulous volley.  How have you
been working on those specific areas and how did you feel?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  It feels good.  I'm not a player that runs to the net, so
it feels really good to be able to hit some good volleys.  Sometimes I'm
surprised.  I'm like, Is that me?  (Smiling.)
But, you know, I used to hit a lot of dropshots when I was younger.  Just
kind of going back to the young days, I guess.

Q.  Normally you play doubles with Venus in Grand Slam.  Keeps you training
and practicing.  This tournament you don't.  I mean, is preparing for the
final different?  What are you going to do, for example, tomorrow to prepare
for the final?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, it's definitely different because usually I'm in
doubles.
So for tomorrow, I'm just going to do what I have been doing every day:  just
hit some balls, focus on what I want to work on, and just get ready and get
prepared.

Q.  As you said, you played Maria a lot the last couple of years, but when
you go out there on Saturday it's the final of Roland Garros, Chatrier.  Will
it still feel special?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Oh, it will really feel special.  I have never played Maria
here actually, so it will be our first time playing here.  It will be a great
match I think for both of us.
We both are doing so well and we both just really want to win.  We're both
really excited to be this far.
So I think it's just going to be a great match.

Q.  How would you say that Patrick has helped you with your game,
particularly your balance and your movement?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Just being more focused, I think, with every match, and
taking everything really serious.
Yeah, just working on a lot of things off court just to improve my - like you
said - balance, movement, everything else on court.

Q.  It's the 40th anniversary of the founding of the WTA, and they had a
ceremony.  Could you talk about the effect of women's tennis in America?  Do
you think it's just another nice sport, or do you think it empowers women?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  I think tennis empowers women.  I think that's the perfect
way to say it.  I think it's a great sport.  Honestly it's the best sport for
a female to play and to be a part of.  It's a worldwide sport.  Hopefully has
a great impact in America, and hopefully I have a lot to do with that.
I think 40 years of the WTA, you just look at all the great champions that
it's produced and the great personalities and the great champions that are
still in tennis.
I think it's just really -- I'm honored to be part of the WTA.

Q.  Why is it the best sport for women to play?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, you get to travel the world; you play in so many
countries; you play a great sport.
You know, if you're into monetary, you get -- it's the most sport where you
get equal pay as the men.
So it's just I think the frontrunner for women's sports.

Q.  Obviously 2002 you said is a lifetime ago.  Has it been playing on your
mind a lot more in recent days or a lot less as you've been getting closer to
the final?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Not at all.  I honestly don't remember anything about that
match, to be honest.
I don't think about it.  I just think about just the task and the match at
hand.

Q.  Not the match itself but the fact that it's such a long time ago, has
that been playing on your mind?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  No.  It doesn't seem like that long ago, even though it
was.  It's fine.

Q.  You're not taking French lessons, but everybody noticed your impressive
improvements in French.  Would you give us your thoughts in French before the
final?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Oh, no.  Can I not, please?  No.  I will after the match.
 Next time.  You see, now I've got to get prepared.  You can't put me on the
spot.