INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 8, 2016

Serena Williams

Rome, Italy

An interview with:

SERENA WILLIAMS

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It's not really related to tennis, but I have been truly impressed by
listening and watching to Lemonade by Beyoncé and the amazing video you're
in, obviously. Could you tell us how it was born and how big of an impact do
you think it can have on social issues like racism, feminism in America and
around the world?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it was a fun thing. I mean, I knew the director really
well. In fact, I have known the director since I was like nine years old. I
know Beyoncé pretty well, so they were like, We would love for you to be in
this particular song. You know, it's about strength and it's about courage
and that's what we see you as.

She told me that she just wants me to dance, like just be really free and
just dance like nobody's looking and go all out.

So that wasn't easy in the beginning, but then it got easier. And then, you
know, we just did a few takes. It was really fun.

I thought that particular song on the visual album was really a strong song,
and it was also really fun at the same time. You know, I don't know if it
solved social issues or anything. That's definitely a lot, but I definitely
think it addresses some. I think her music is really bold. In particular this
album I think is really bold and really strong. I was really happy to be a
part of it.

Q. Just tell us how you're feeling -- I think it was an illness that cost you
Madrid -- and everything physically, how your preparations and training are
going for this tournament and the clay court season leading into Paris.
SERENA WILLIAMS: I feel pretty good. Yeah, I wasn't feeling really good for
the past several weeks and even the past few days. But right now I'm better.
I will see how I'm doing when I step on the court for the first time, but
overall I think I'm feeling a lot better.

Q. I see you're entered in the doubles with Venus. Is that, I would think,
preparation for the Olympics? Have you guys been practicing or what are your
expectations in the doubles tournament and the Olympics in general?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I don't know. We haven't played doubles in a while.
Obviously we would love to play in the Olympics.

I love playing with Venus. She's the best partner, and hopefully she feels
the same about me. We make a great team. The doubles teams have gotten really
good, so it's -- we look forward to it.

We have done well on clay. We have won Roland Garros a cup of times. We have
won a few clay court tournaments. Hopefully we'll be able to at least win a
couple of matches here, just shake off the dust and keep playing.

Q. Would you enter possibly mixed, as well, or is it just going to be singles
and doubles for you in Rio? If you're chosen for the doubles, of course.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's just one at a time. I mean, hopefully I can be
chosen for the doubles. That would be the best opportunity. And then after
that, you know, we'll see.

Q. Has anyone approached you for mixed?
SERENA WILLIAMS: For mixed?

Q. Yeah.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Not yet. Kind of haven't been on the tour that much this
year, so not yet.

Q. Do you think to win here in Rome? Do you think it's enough to win later
Roland Garros and to play just tournament before Paris?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I have played here and I have played in Madrid
maybe one match, and then I played here the full tournament. Every year I
only play one tournament before Australia, done okay there. So I'd like to
think positive.

You know, I don't play anything thinking I'm going to lose. I always just
play thinking I'm going to do the best I can. For me, that's winning.

Q. What do you think about, since we are in Rome and Italy, Roberta Vinci
after her win over you in New York, has continued to be at the top? She comes
in here for the first time as a top-10 player in her home tournament.
SERENA WILLIAMS: I think it's great. It's cool, you know, because sometimes
when players beat a top player, it's just like, you know, a one-time thing.
Not just against me; just in general.

But I think for her she's shown so much growth and determination, and I think
she's also shown that she wants to be consistent, you know. She couldn't win
just one match. She wins lots of matches. She's been so consistent in the
past 12 months, so I think it's really well deserved, and she's obviously,
for me, a player to watch.

Q. Going back to the first question, would you define -- like yesterday Obama
said Beyoncé runs the world. Would you define yourself as the Beyoncé of
the sports world, worldwide?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Honestly, I never thought about it.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports