US OPEN

August 30, 2022

Venus Williams

New York, New York, USA

Press Conference

A. VAN UYTVANCK/V. Williams

6-1, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. We know about Serena and her plans post-Open. After you have done the
doubles, do you plan to evolve away from tennis and do your own thing or is
tennis still in the forefront of your mind?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Right now I'm just focused on the doubles.

Q. Speaking of doubles, can you sort of talk about how that came to be. Was
it your idea? Was it Serena's? What are you sort of most excited about in
terms of playing together yet again?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was Serena's idea. She's the boss, so do whatever
she tells me to do (smiling).

I don't think we have played since 2016, but might be getting that wrong. We
have had some great wins. It would be nice to add some more.

Q. Serena yesterday told us it was very important for her for you to be part
of all of this period for her, just trying to wrap her head around evolving
away from the sport. I'm curious, from your perspective, how has it been for
you? It is emotional seeing Serena make these kind of decisions?

VENUS WILLIAMS: We're a huge influence on each other, and I'm a huge
influence on her. For me, I just kind of felt like my role is to make sure I
don't influence her in any way, and that this decision needs to be all hers
and her family's. The newest part of the family, I guess I would say, because
obviously we are family.

I think that's the role I play is definitely support with everyone else in my
family.

Q. Just to that end, to that question, you said that Serena is the boss. She
said that you're her rock. Are there specific ways she's needed your support
this week as she's tried to balance the emotions that have gone into her
good-bye year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I don't know exactly. I think she's had some
time to process it, and she's doing it the way she wants to. That's what
matters most is to do things on her own terms.

Q. I'm wondering whether you had a chance to watch some or all of last
night's match for Serena and what your thoughts and emotions were with the
whole night, everything about it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I definitely watched it. I wanted to be there, but I
had obviously an early start today. It's never easy the first round.
Definitely was an exciting evening.

Obviously my hope is that there is more ahead for her at this tournament.

Q. Over the years, so many moments. Can you talk of one or two that were
particularly sweet here in your experience? Also, if you could change one
thing in our sport of tennis, what would that be?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Honestly they are all great moments. I just love being here,
love playing here, the excitement of getting here, and the lead-up is all
just -- it never gets old. It's so sweet.

Obviously there has been some great moments for both Serena and I here that
we've got to share with each other, either on the doubles court or watching
the other go to victory. That's nice.

If I could change one thing it would be no second night match. It's a little
brutal. A lot of brutal.

Q. Now, as opposed to 10 years ago, what's motivating you? Is it different
than it was 10 years ago? What's driving you out there on the court?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Three letters is W-I-N. That's it. Very simple.

Q. Several players have been in this interview room in the last few days
talking about how you and Serena have influenced their careers and their
lives. What goes through your mind when you hear other players talking about
the impact you and Serena have had on them?

VENUS WILLIAMS: That's fantastic to see these young women living their dream
and doing positive things in their lives, and in turn influencing other
people, not just young women, to also get up, do something, live your life,
go for your destiny, fight.

That's what it is. So it's just an exchange of energy and exchange of giving.
So it's wonderful to see that.

Q. You spent quite a while away from tennis after last year. What was that
like, taking some time away from tennis? What was it like getting back into
playing and training and getting ready to compete again?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was definitely the longest time I have been away
from tennis and been without a racquet in my hand. So it was a completely new
experience for me, getting a racquet back in my hand and trying to acclimate
as quick as possible to be ready for the US Open, which was not easy.

Definitely, like, playing lots of great points but it's just, in the end,
it's just rust. There is nothing you can do about that except for, you know,
not be rusty at some point (smiling).

So I'm very excited about, you know, all the good moments that I had this
summer. I definitely walked out there and did my best under the circumstances.

Q. On the doubles with Serena, I just wonder, people talk about the record
that you guys have in major finals, that perfect record. Obviously I can
imagine you guys are aiming to get to that final again. Seeing the atmosphere
that Serena played under yesterday and the atmosphere that you had on Ashe
today, are you hoping you will be playing on Ashe together and be able to
kind of have the crowd spur you on to hopefully go on that run again?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I honestly hadn't thought about that. More than anything, I
just want to hold my side of the court up and be a good sister.

Q. About the match today, not taking anything away from your opponent, but it
seemed like a lot of shots went her way, hitting the net, coming over or
going up the line. How discouraging was that for you and how were you able to
just get past it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think this is some of the best tennis she's ever
played. I have seen her play before, and her level was really incredible
today.

So credit to her. You know, I was still finding my space. This is my first
major in over a year, so I was finding my space and my rhythm and finding
myself out there and getting closer and closer.

Honestly, just kind of really unlucky in the tiebreaker, and I hit an amazing
second serve that somehow went for a winner on the line. Then another great
serve that was a shank in. I felt like I did what I needed to do to win that
tiebreaker, but there is nothing you can do, you know, on moments like that.

I felt like I had it, but truly unlucky. Like I couldn't do anything about
those shots except maybe play an even better shot than what I played, but I
thought that I had played a great shot. Those moments, you know, you just
shake your head and, you know, too good.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports