Serena Williams defeats Elena Vesnina
6-3, 6-4

SERENA WILLIAMS

Q. Serena, can you talk about when she broke your serve there in the second
set and you came back with that great footwork to win the next game?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I don't remember, honestly. I didn't realize I got
broken. So clearly mentally I'm not focusing. I have a very -- like I have no
short-term memory.

Q. It was the shot where you were pumping your fist.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, that one. Oh, you said footwork. When I think of
footwork, I think of like Nadal. I don't really move my feet.
Yeah, I was just running, and she was striking the ball so well and just
going for broke. She obviously had nothing to lose, so it was obviously -- it
was a lucky shot, to be honest.
Like I got there, but I probably could have hit it better, but I think if I
had hit it better, she probably would have got it, so since it was so awkward
she thought it was going out.

Q. This is your first match on clay in a few years. Did it feel like you'd
been gone that long?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Again, I forgot that I hadn't played on clay in so long, but
that's so true. Yeah, thinking about it like that it definitely is different,
and I really love the clay. I feel like it really suits my game. I don't have
to, you know, like go crazy and move my feet so much.
But I didn't realize I hadn't played on clay in over a year, so that's not
bad.

Q. You're a notoriously tough grader when you look at your performances. Do
you ever give yourself a little bit more of a curve when you hit the clay?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I think clay is no different from hard or grass. I
should be able to play the same and do the same, if not better. I have more
time. Yeah. I don't really -- no special grades for me.

Q. Serena, you hit 11 aces today. That's pretty high for a clay court match
for just anybody. How do you feel about that total?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I feel good. I guess I hit a lot of aces, and I don't know
why. I pretty much just go for my serve and just do the best I can. So I'm
glad I'm getting some aces. It really helps to get a free point, especially
on the last point, you definitely want to hit an ace. It's a lot easier.
Believe me.

Q. What's it like to be back in Charleston after four years?

SERENA WILLIAMS: You know, I love it here. Has it been four years?

Q. 2008.

SERENA WILLIAMS: The last time? Oh, I didn't know that. I really love it here.
I have so many supporters here, and I absolutely love the food here, too
much. Like unfortunately I had some banana pudding before I went out, and I
don't know why I did that. It was so good, though. I was just like, oh, my
gosh. And all I want to do is -- I keep tweeting how I'm just having so much
trouble with the food. So that's my Ac hilles heel is soul food and southern
food. Maybe that's why it's been four years since I've been here.

Q. I know that you are a big fan of Karaoke. One of your competitors or
colleagues, Caroline Wozniacki, just came out with a song today. Have you had
a chance to hear it?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I didn't hear it. I didn't know.

Q. You should.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah? She did good? Good for her. Yeah, good for her. Maybe
we can Karaoke together.

Q. You can do a duet.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah. Maybe she should get on "The Voice."

Q. Serena, the original nine from the WTA are reuniting this week. Can you
give some thoughts on that? And also, just curious as to kind of how you came
to learn about the history of the WTA and how it started.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I love history, and I think in order to do really well, you
have to kind of know where you've come from kind of thing.
Whether that's your racial background or your profession, you want to be able
to know what happened in the past so you can help things continue to move
forward and learn about the original nine and all they did for tennis. Not
only tennis, just women's sports in general. I think that's why tennis really
stands out among all female sports because these nine ladies took a stand and
said, you know, we want equal pay. We want this, and we want all this to
happen for us and for our tour, and now look at us. I think we're the premier
sport for all females.
So I'm really honored that they did that, and it opened so many doors for me
and for every player that's playing now.

Q. You're closing in on 40 career victories.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I've been closing in on 40 career victories. (Laughs).

Q. I mean would it be sort of special to get it here in Charleston?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean it would be. I think Venus has 41 or something like
that. 46. Whatever. She's ahead of me, so -- it would be nice to get one any
time soon would be good. But you know, we'll see. Thank you guys.

End of Interview