Serena Williams 18 May 2013


Q: I can see you are winning easier that 7 – 8 years ago. Are there any
different in this generation and the past ones?
S. Williams:  There are big differences and then it was about getting to the
net more and I think now the players are fitter but there are great players
in both generations.

Q: You might have to play Victoria for the first time since Doha. What has
changed since that match.
S. Williams:  She played well in that match and I was happy in the final and
it was a tough tournament and I had opportunities that I wasn't able to use
and to win and Viki plays well in the vital points

Q: Why was there a delay in coming to the press conference. Was there a
physical problem
S. Williams:  I was just practicing

Q: How do you feel on clay compared to 12 months ago and even the last time
you were winning the big clay events
S. Williams:  I don’t know if I feel better this year or last. I felt great
last year and I feel great this one too and I love clay and have had many
wins on clay, even in Roland Garros.

Q: Do you feel comfortable with sliding
S. Williams:  I love it and I've always been good at sliding.

Q: In the last 11 months, have you thought about what happened at Roland
Garros last year.
S. Williams:  I think I do because I have answered that question at every
press conference. I don't think I played well and I lost the match.

Q: One more question about that match. When you go to Roland Garros, will
that me in your mind.
S. Williams:  Of course it will be there. I don’t want it to be but I am
always answering questions about it so it will be.
 When you are training at Patrick's academy in France, what surface do you
train on. Is it relevant to the season, like Roland Garros and clay.
 It is definitely relevant to the season and lately its been clay because of
the season and then in the hard court season I obviously don't hit on clay
but its usually indoors as well as it so cold.

Q: We saw a match with heat and sun and now the weather is off and on. How
much does the weather affect your game and also with the Roland Garros with
changes between extreme heat and soggy wet
S. Williams:  It difficult at the Roland Garros because its often rainy and I
don't know but with clay its OK and you have to be ready and the rain slows
the surface down.

Q: When you said practicing earlier, is there something specific.
S. Williams:  NO, I am only unhappy with the way I played and I need to work
on a few things and be able to do well here and next week

Q: Anything that you can share with us here.
S. Williams:  Yes, but not that I want to share.

Q: Rafa is always saying that Madrid is so different to Rome because of the
altitude and here its similar to Roland Garros. Do you feel the difference
between here and Madrid and this is more relevant to prepare for Roland
Garros.
S. Williams:  Not really. The only thing that I feel is that I breathe better
here and that is about it.

Q: Are you going to watch Benoit Paire's game tonight?
S. Williams:  Yes, I'll watch it because I like to watch tennis and I like
his backhand an drop shot and so I'll probably watch it.