INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA (WOMEN)

May 14, 2008

Serena Williams

ROME, ITALY

S. WILLIAMS/A. Bondarenko
6-2, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. That was a pretty emphatic start to the tournament. Were you expecting it
to be so easy?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I didn't expect it to be so easy, but I was really focused
today. You know, just had a lot of momentum after my last match so I wanted
to really do well.

Q. We just learned that Justine Henin is retiring from competitive tennis
today. Just wanted to get your comments about that.
SERENA WILLIAMS: She was a great champion and she gave me a world of trouble,
so I hope the best for her. She had a great year last year.
Gosh, what can you say about such a champion? I don't think we have enough
time.

Q. Do you know anything about Errani, your next opponent?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah. You know what, Venus has played her before, so,
you know, I didn't know she was Italian, but doesn't matter what country I'm
in I always play a person from that country.
I'll be looking forward to the match, and I'll be talking to Venus.

Q. Sorry to bring you back to Justine again, but I just wondered if there was
any particular match that sticks particularly in your memory against her.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Probably in Miami last year. It was such a hard-fought match
and I was glad to win. I just thought that if any match it was probably that
one.