THE LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 20, 1999

Venus Williams

KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA

REVEN OLIVER: First question for Venus.

Q. How do you feel you played and were you concerned about your serve? You
doubled twice in the first set.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, double-fault -- I was actually very happy with my serve.
In general, my second serve is very soft, but today it was like 87, 91.
That's just unprecedented for me. It's great.

Q. Are you pleased with the way you played overall?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. I think I made too many unforced errors. I didn't
attack the short balls as I have been working on in general. I definitely
think there's room for improvement.

Q. When you found out about the draw and the fact that you would not play
Serena until the final, what was your reaction?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I never saw the draw. Someone told me. I still haven't seen
it.

Q. So what is your reaction?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I suppose it's a good thing.

Q. What are your thoughts about the prospect of playing here? Is that
something you'd just as soon avoid as much as possible?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Serena and I are both super players. I guess like the best
player when we play will win. I've been taking a break recently, so maybe my
break wasn't long enough. I was still hitting with Serena. I had to get my
practice in, and I was playing doubles. It wasn't really a break. I've been
going quite a long time, weeks in a row.

Q. Is there a mixed feeling about the decision not to enter the same
tournaments?

VENUS WILLIAMS: We've only played one tournament. I had to defend my title in
Oklahoma. Serena says she was going to France. She goes to France, gets to
speak French. I was in Oklahoma. That's how that turned out. We really played
mostly the same tournaments. We played Sydney, then the Australian Open. We
kind of separated. That's the only time we've ever done that. It's the only
time we're going to do it this year, too.

Q. How much did winning the Lipton mean to you last year? What do you think
of your chances of winning it again this year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it was great. I got to win at home. It's my largest
title to date. What was the second part of the question?

Q. Your chances of repeating.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, those are great. I just have to believe in myself and
keep going. I definitely believe I've improved my game. I'm serving well
enough. My second serve is much better. I'm very happy.

Q. Has Serena's game caught yours yet, do you think?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Probably.

Q. You said you improved your game. In what ways have you improved?

VENUS WILLIAMS: In the past, I had a weak forehand. But I don't have a weak
forehand anymore. Sorry, that made me angry because I really worked hard on
my forehand. I'm much better. I actually come in a lot more. Today I didn't
come in very much. In the past, I wouldn't have even came in that much.
That's a great improvement for me. I'm actually able to see the ball better.
I play a lot smarter. There's a lot of things I've improved. I think I
understand things more.

Q. Are you still the No. 1 Williams sister?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess I have the No. 1 ranking in the Williams' family.

Q. Who is more talented?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I suppose y'all have to wait and see. I guess right now I'm
on the top for the moment. It could change. I'll have to keep working hard,
get motivated by Serena, something, because she's doing great. It's very
exciting for me. I love to watch her play, motivate her. It's great.

Q. Could you imagine to be No. 1 and 2 once?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's been said in the past.

Q. Did your dad bring any signs this year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Have to ask him. I don't know. I didn't even see him until --
I didn't see it at all. It was odd. I didn't see it. I guess most people look
to where their people are sitting at, like their parents, their coaches. I
just didn't see it.

Q. How does your father treat you and Serena? Does he always be with one of
you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: He travels with both of us. He usually goes to all our
tournaments, especially in the US. I think he treats us evenly. I think so.