THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2019

Frances Tiafoe
Venus Williams

Wimbledon, London, England

TIAFOE-WILLIAMS/Clayton-Grey

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I think you're only the second person in history to say you have played
mixed with Serena and Venus. How does that feel? How was that today?
FRANCES TIAFOE: Obviously unbelievable. Obviously I looked up to them all my
life. Still do. It's an honor to share the court with both of them. Happy to
get a win with Venus. I did not want to go down today. We played well, and
hopefully we can keep going.

Q. How did the idea to partner up come about?
FRANCES TIAFOE: I just got a text from Carlos. He was, like, Do you want to
play with Venus? I was, like, That's a dumb question. Next day we are doing
two-hour doubles drills in practice.

Q. Venus, you haven't played a lot of mixed here in your career. What made
you want to do it this time?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I love doubles. And if I could play doubles every tournament,
I would. This is just another opportunity I get to do something I love. We're
having a great partnership so far.

FRANCES TIAFOE: So far.

Q. You had to make a lot of important decisions in your life, so if you have
to think about one of the most important, what would you think it was?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, that's a good question. I don't know if I can answer that.

Best decision in life is to, you know, be faithful to whatever you're doing.
In that effect, you know, whatever I'm faithful to, whether it's God or
myself or my family, then this is the best decision.

Q. Olympics qualifying cycle starts after French Open. So I'm curious how
much that's already on your mind, if that's something maybe playing more
doubles in anticipation to that next ten months or however long?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Ah, there is definitely time, but I think this could work,
right?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I mean, I'd love that. I'd love that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: That would be awesome. So we'll see.

Q. Frances, can I ask about Coco? Do you know her well? What kind of
impressions do you have of her as a player and as a player, you know, her
chances?
FRANCES TIAFOE: Ah, I mean, she is obviously very young. I mean, obviously
it's a good run for her. I hope obviously she keeps going.

Q. You don't know her well personally?
FRANCES TIAFOE: Ah, I mean, a little bit. I see her around. Plenty other
people I talk to out there (smiling).

Q. Frances, who would win if your dad played against Venus' dad? Your father
loves tennis.
VENUS WILLIAMS: What's the question?

FRANCES TIAFOE: My dad or your dad, who wins?

Q. He likes to play, his father plays and he's very competitive.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, that's cool. Got to get your dad on the court.

FRANCES TIAFOE: No, he's a complete rec player. You don't want to play with
that.

Q. You played obviously a ton of women's doubles, but not as much mixed. What
do you like about mixed? What's different about it? What makes it unique for
you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, it's doubles, so I stick to my doubles plan. That's
about it.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports