WIMBLEDON

July 3, 2015

Venus Williams

LONDON, ENGLAND

V. WILLIAMS/A. Krunic
6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since you first won here.  The
Venus Williams that was here in 2000 and the Venus Williams today, how is she
different?  And the Serena of 2000 and the Serena of today, how is she
different?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I don't know.  15 years ago, everybody's a different person.
 Everyone's a different player.
I think we're both more mature.  Still as tenacious.  I mean, back then we
were definitely fun to watch.  I think we still are.

Q.  How would you describe the emotions when you face your sister and whether
it's fun or just something that's really a burden?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, we've been facing each other a long time so we both
have a lot of respect for each other's game.  We both play quite well.  We
both know we have to play well against each other.  I think we probably know
each other best.

Q.  What is the emotional challenge when you face Serena as compared with any
other player for you?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think we probably have the most respect for each other
than anyone else on the tour.
I think we're both invested in each other's-- uhm, we both want each other to
win when we're not playing each other.  So there's a difference.  Whereas
other players, I'm not watching whether they win or lose.
I think that's the difference.

Q.  Does that make it harder or easier when you face her?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  You just have to be focused.  There's no easy points against
Serena.

Q.  Serena said she felt like you were playing better on grass right now than
she was.  How do you feel at this point?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Well, I think no matter how Serena's playing, she knows how
to win.  I think I'm playing very well actually.  Just have to keep that up.
 No match has been easy.

Q.  Did you watch the end of Serena's match?  If so, where did you watch it?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I saw some of it because I had to cool down.  It was a
little nerve-wracking, too.  A little of all of the above.
I didn't see it because I was on court too.

Q.  Did you watch the decisive part of the set, did you watch her win?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I didn't see the last game, no.  But clearly it was just
dramatic.

Q.  She's had an amazing battling season, so many comebacks.
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, I'm definitely just amazed at everything she's
accomplished.  It's exciting.  It's exciting to see this happen for her, and
for us as a family really.  It's Serena and I and mom and dad and all of us.

Q.  It's been six years since you and Serena have faced each other at a Grand
Slam.  It was here in 2009.  How do you feel like it will feel differently at
all when you walk on court Monday and will you take a little bit of time to
soak in the atmosphere?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, that was a final, so it was definitely different.  The
tournament is not all said and done after this round, so...  You have to
presume that even after that round, the competition will continue to get
tougher.

Q.  What do you consider to be your sister's legacy?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I don't think her legacy's over yet so it's too early to
comment.  Clearly she's done more than most people have done with several
lifetimes in life and in tennis.
The good part is still good times to come.

Q.  What is it like for you to witness the possibility of history in the
making again for Serena as she pursues the Grand Slam with you in the way?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  It's definitely interesting, that's for sure.  So we just
have to see what happens.  Honestly, it's interesting.

Q.  I think Serena was hitting at Jack Nicklaus' grass courts in Florida
before she came over here.  Did you, as well?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, a little bit of time on grass, yeah.

Q.  Did you practice together or separate?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  We were on different schedules.  Once you win the French
Open, you know, you have to rest a little bit.  We were on different
schedules.  I had more free time.

Q.  Serena said she thought the crowd would be cheering for you in the match.
 She said she knew she would be cheering for you if she were in the crowd.
VENUS WILLIAMS:  That's interesting.  I'll probably be cheering for her
(laughter).
I don't know.  I haven't given any thought to the crowd really.

Q.  She said she felt your story was so inspirational, you never gave up.
VENUS WILLIAMS:  No, there's no such thing as giving up for me in my life.
 But also for her.  She's been through so much.  The awesome part is, no
matter what she's been through, she's never complained.  You see players that
continue to talk about injuries that are like nine thousand years old.  She
never complained once.  You have to give her credit for that.  She's gone
through so much that no one could even imagine.

Q.  Do you think it's gotten any closer to feeling like a normal match when
you play Serena or is it always going to be something different?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think it would be a normal match if one of us was not very
good.  But since we both do have some sort of talent level, that's what makes
it interesting because we both can play.

Q.  I meant more on a psychological or emotional level.
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think everybody's always looking for some answer, and it
really is you have to play the match.  It doesn't matter who's across the
net, you have to play, show up, compete, do your best, and it doesn't change.

Q.  Has competing against your sister in some ways brought you closer
together?  If so, how have you been able to do that?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think competing with each other has nothing to do with
whether we're close or not.  I think just knowing what the other one goes
through.  If I see her in a match in a tight spot, I know exactly what that
feels like.  I think that's a unique relationship that is pretty rare in
sport, that she and I share.  There are other siblings who have this affinity
that we share.

Q.  Do you still enjoy coming back to Wimbledon as much as you did?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  It's always a privilege.  Always.  It will never not be.

Q.  When Maria Sharapova was in this interview room earlier tonight, she said
when she walks onto the grounds, she has in her mind the images of when she
won.  For you as a five-time champion, what images of past experiences here
go through your mind when you walk onto the grounds and the court?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I live in the present.  Very easygoing kind of person, so...
 I remember the past at times, but I'm pretty much in that moment when I come
here.  I don't do too much deep thinking.  I think when you walk on the
court, for me you've already trained so hopefully it's automatic.
No visions when I walk on-site.  Of course, it's where I want to be at this
time of year.

Q.  You haven't been on Centre this year yet.  Is that a problem?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  If it's a problem, I'll definitely let you know.  But no
problems right here right now.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports