MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 7, 2013

Serena Williams

MADRID, SPAIN

S. WILLIAMS/L. Dominguez Lino
6-2, 7-5

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  That was a tough second set.  How do you feel that went for you?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Um, I feel it went well.  I made a lot of errors, but her
game kind of forces you to make errors.
It was a good match for me.  It was a really good clay-court tennis match for
me.
Seeing as I have a few more tournaments on clay,  it was perfect to play a
match like this, so I know if I face another opponent like that I'll have
that experience and I'll know how to play.

Q.  Recently Sloane Stephens made some comments about you.  I'm not sure if
you're aware.  If you are, what are your thoughts on them?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, I think a lot of people are aware.  I don't really
know.  I don't have many thoughts.  I'm a big Sloane Stephens fans and always
have been.  I've always said that I think she can be the best in the world.
 I'll always continue to think that and always be rooting for her.
So I really just always wish her - and anyone, really, especially from
Americathe best.  We don't have that many American players, so it's always
exciting to see so many young players doing so well.

Q.  Your year last year was transformed in the immediate aftermath of Roland
Garros, wasn't it, when you made that decision?  You made those changes.
 When you step back on the clay now, were the memories coming back about that
time?
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Um, I was just in a different place last year.  I played
well.  I played well before Roland Garros.  Just things changed at Roland
Garros.
I was on this great winning streak and one of the favorites to win - and
probably the least favorite to lose in the first round.
But, you know, it happens.  But I don't think too much about that at this
point.  I just think, Okay I won another match.
I think what happened to me last year definitely keeps me level.  I don't get
too excited or too like emotional, like I'm supposed to and have to win; I'm
the favorite to win.
I don't think like that anymore.

Q.  Your results on clay have obviously not been as good as elsewhere.  What
do you put it on to?  Obviously you won Roland Garros a while ago, so you've
had some success.
SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, there is definitely not as many tournaments on clay
as there are on hard.
No excuse, though, for me not to play better on clay.  I think the past
couple years I've been doing a little better.  I don't know.
I tell everyone I grew up on clay.  I played hard court until I was nine and
played clay court until I turned pro.  I should have better results on clay.
 I still love it.  It's actually one of my favorite surfaces, so I always
have fun on it.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports