FEDCUP WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS: SWEDEN v USA

April 21, 2013

Mary Joe Fernandez
Venus Williams

DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA

V. WILLIAMS/J. Larsson
6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  Congratulations.  Venus, talk a little bit about that last game and those
eight match points.  What were you thinking as they were going by?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  You know, I wasn't keeping track.  I was just trying to stay
focused on getting the win for the U.S.
Obviously to close out there would have been ideal.  The game was very
competitive and we were both going for the lines and missing them closely.
It was just about winning those last two points.

Q.  When did you find out you would be playing instead of Sloane?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Well, like I said out there, we all have to be ready to
play.  I was ready all week.

Q.  Mary Joe, maybe you can fill us in.  When did you know?
CAPTAIN FERNANDEZ:  You know, I think at the beginning of the week I told you
guys I make my decisions last minute.  I really wait.
It's a good thing, because that means I have a lot of options.  All four
players were ready to play any match, any order, anything.
So that was like the greatest thing.  The hardest thing was trying to decide
when to play which one.
So literally, you know, after warmup today.  So I was watching everybody warm
up, saw how everybody was feeling.  Our team is a bit banged up, so I had to
take that into consideration.
At the end of the day, experience just goes a long way.  Venus has been there
so many times before.  To have her in that clinching match for me was really
important.

Q.  Venus, how did it feel being out there playing Fed Cup singles again?
 It's been a while.  As far as we can tell, it's the first time you've ever
clinched a tie.
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Oh, really, wow.
CAPTAIN FERNANDEZ:  You didn't tell me that.  No.
VENUS WILLIAMS:  I lied.  (Laughter.)  I played a lot of World TeamTennis
lately, so that helps a lot.  It's a different kind of pressure being on a
team.  When you're on a team, you just want to do more.  Sometimes that can
be a lot more pressure.
To be honest, I wanted to be out there.  I told Mary Joe yesterday I feel
good, I feel positive.  I pumped myself up and I wanted to be there for the
team.

Q.  Mary Joe, is it kind of a downer that this was the playoff so the Fed Cup
year is now over for the team?
CAPTAIN FERNANDEZ:  It is a little bit.  We were talking about it.  We have
to wait ten months to play again.  That's the hardest thing about Fed Cup and
even Davis Cup, the scheduling and how long it takes between the ties.
Because you do, you start building a chemistry with the team and a lot
bonding and you push each other, and it's fun.  We don't get that very often.
But, you know, we're still going to be watching each other, supporting each
other, pushing each other, and we'll regroup February of next year.

Q.  Venus, how relieved were you that this was over in two?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, definitely relieved.  I needed it to be over in two.
 Mary Joe needed it to be over in two.  She was having a heart attack on the
sidelines.
It just feels good.  Like I said, lots more pressure playing for a team.  I
know I'm playing for the U.S., and it's not just Venus out there.  I can
accept more disappointment than I can for -- you know, representing my
country.
Definitely more of a sense of urgency to close it out in two because of that.

Q.  Mary Joe, what was Sloane's reaction when you told her she wasn't going
to play this match?  Do you worry at all about her confidence being a young
player going forward?
CAPTAIN FERNANDEZ:  No, not at all.  I have to say is great team members this
week.  They all knew that they could all play and they could all support or
play doubles.
So they were all ready for every thing.  Everybody this morning was ready to
play.  First thing Sloane said was, Let me go get my dry pants and become the
loudest cheerleader.  That's what you want in a team.  You want everybody to
have that role of doing whatever's need to do win.
I was proud of her and the way she kept it together yesterday.  She's finding
her way back with her confidence.  Sometimes it takes a little time.  She
fought and she stayed as positive as she could.
Now everybody goes over to the clay court.  I think we're going to see Sloane
doing well real soon.

Q.  Venus, if you wouldn't mind looking ahead to the French Open and the clay
season, tell us what you're going to play.  I know for Serena Paris is a
second home and she has a place there and stuff.  How do you see it for
yourself and maybe for Serena?
VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, for us, you know, we have a lot experience that we
take on the court that helps.
I'm just playing in Paris -- I'm sorry, Madrid and Rome.  Until that time
I'll see where I am in my fitness and that'll be about it.
CAPTAIN FERNANDEZ:  Thank you.  Thanks for coming.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports