WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 17, 2011

Serena Williams

CINCINNATI, OHIO

THE MODERATOR: Before we begin, Serena had to withdraw with a right big toe
injury aggravation. Go ahead with questions.

Q. Is this related to the injury that you suffered in German with the glass
in your foot at all?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It is, but not nearly as extreme. It's just a bit of an
aggravation because I think I've been pounding it a lot and playing a lot.

Q. Did you feel that at any point in the match yesterday?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I felt it a little bit and I thought, you know, because I
felt it before and I thought, Okay, this is normal.
But I don't think this is a good time for me to take a big chance. I just
don't think that would be smart.

Q. Are you disappointed given how you've been playing lately?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes and no. I'm definitely disappointed, but at the same
time, I have a lot to look forward to.
If anything, this might be a blessing in disguise. I might get some more rest
and prepare for the rest of the year.

Q. Will this withdrawal play on your chances at the US Open?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. If anything, it'll make 'em better maybe
because I have more opportunity to rest up and get 200% healthy, which could
be a very dangerous thing.

Q. Did you try to practice this morning and that's when it became obvious
that you needed to do this? Can you take us through just how you came to
withdraw?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I woke up this morning not feeling excellent, and
then, you know, went to the gym to see how it felt before I hit practice.
That definitely didn't sit well. There is a little swelling, so I thought,
you know, it would be a wise decision. Talked to my dad and I called Venus.
She advised that I do what's best for me, which would be to take care of my
body.

Q. Hypothetically, if yesterday's match did go to a third set, do you think
you would have continued to play?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I would have continued to play, yeah. I definitely would
have continued to play. Always.

Q. What's the plan now? Will you rest for a while or continue to practice?
What will you do?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, definitely think rest is what I should do. Doctor's
orders. So I'll probably take a few days off and then resume and keep going
for everything.

Q. I've heard that one of your friends, Kim Kardashian is getting married
this weekend. Are you planning on attending that?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I hadn't -- I mean, now that I have time I probably will. I
hadn't thought about it, so...

Q. Would you like to explain exactly how you feel injury-wise?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Did you miss the beginning?

Q. Yeah. I'm recording.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, I have a reaggravated a little bit on my toe. It's not
as bad as it was before. It's just a lot match play. I've been playing a lot
of the matches, more than I have in a long time.
And also training as well. It got a little aggravated. Instead of making it
worse, I've decided it will be in my best health not to go on.

Q. With everything you've been through with this injury does that flare-up
scare you at all?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, not at all. What scares me if I keep going and not
listening to my body. Right now I'm really in tune and really in touch with
that. We have a great relationship.

Q. You and your body?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Uh-huh.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports