BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 13, 2018

Venus Williams

Indian Wells, California

V. WILLIAMS/A. Sevastova

7-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You said playing Serena is like playing a final. So what was the mental
and physical recovery like from last night to today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was a really quick turnaround. And, you know, that
level match and that level of opponent is, you know, worthy of a final, but
it wasn't even really close to a final.

So you just have to reset your mind and focus on the round you're in.

Q. How did you, after the quick turnaround, mentally prepare to play an
opponent completely different from Serena?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Completely different, completely different resolution to
solving the problems and the rallies in the court.

It was honestly a very good match. Well-competed on both sides.

Q. You said after the match on court it was a tough match to figure out, but
in that second set it seemed like you were really anticipating her. What did
you figure out about her game as the match went on?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, there were some points where she just played and it
was too good. And I thought I was in control of the point and winning the
point, and she turned it around. It's just real talent.

So figuring out those kind of moments of being able to control the point till
the very end.

Q. You have done so much for equal pay at a Grand Slam level. Wondering where
you see the fight for equal pay now, lower down on the tour levels, what you
think needs to happen for women's equality.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I believe we have equal pay at all the tournaments; is that
correct? Isn't this tournament equal pay? Or no?

Q. This one is, but Cincy, like, something like 60 cents on the dollar that
the women make on the men.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think the difference between -- are they two different
tiers or something? I don't really know the men's tour that well. I really
can't speak to it.

But I believe is that a 1000 event for them and ours is a different level?
And where there is only so many sanctions. So in this case, we do have equal
prize money and other places you're dealing with two different sanctions.

Q. Katrina Adams said there will be a statue at Althea Gibson at the US Open.
What are your feelings about her being honored?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, Althea has done something in history that hasn't been
done in history before under circumstances that were basically impossible.

No one really knows her story, so there should be a statue, and, you know,
mandatory education about her, to be honest.

Q. Carla Suarez Navarro possibly in the next match. You have had some close,
competitive ones with her in the past, and maybe a somewhat similar opponent
with heavy topspin to Sevastova. What are your thoughts on that one?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think the big difference is I played her more than the girl
today. I really didn't know her game. So today was, like, also a learning --
what works? What doesn't work? How does this player -- what's the rhythm
like? I don't think there will be as many surprises if I play her.

Q. Knowing you had had such a quick turnaround from last night and this was
such an energetic match, how did you conserve energy and how important was it
to get it done in two sets?
VENUS WILLIAMS: There was no conserving energy. I had to let it all go and
try to win the point. Because she wasn't conserving anything, I don't think,
either.

Q. If you could step back and say the one or two things that have changed in
tennis since you entered the game, what would those one or two things be,
please?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Honestly the game is always progressing. Just like any other
sport. It's like either keep up or get out, and I have decided to keep up and
hopefully still be one of the people that's changing the game.

Q. You said you have a lot more tricks up your sleeve a while ago?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Did I say that? I don't have nothing (smiling).

Q. On your Instagram you posted a video for EleVen and you used audio from
press conferences and questions journalists have asked you. Wondering what
the inspiration was behind that.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't actually do the mixing of the videos.

Q. Have you seen that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, yes, of course, but I don't, you know (pointing to self)
tennis player. (Smiling.)

Q. So no input, then?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Not on every concept. Then I wouldn't be able to play the
tennis. But obviously anything that goes up there is very me.

Q. Probably this has been said many times. What's behind the name EleVen?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Life is about not having any confinements. And as much as we
all say, Oh, I'm giving it all, we all have mental confinements and physical
confinements. EleVen is about being able to break free of that. And once you
can, then you're really living the EleVen lifestyle and that's a daily choice.

Q. Do you find you can do that most days?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, but I try.

Q. What music have you been listening to lately?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Nothing this year. But I actually did start listening to
Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, a couple days ago. Isn't that bizarre? So
that's it.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports