NASDAQ-100 OPEN

March 28, 2005

Venus Williams

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Were you happy with your game? You didn't seem too happy out there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely imagined that the score line would be definitely
not three sets. I had a lot of errors out there, but I was pretty much able
to pull it together a lot better in the third set.

Q. Was the wind a factor in the game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: A little bit, but it's just really important not to think
about the wind. Just really move your feet and get in position. But I think
especially on my serve, it wasn't as effective. It's a lot more windy, I
think, on grandstand than on stadium. I've been a bit sheltered in the last
couple matches.

Q. Did the late start have any effect on you at all?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I started out 3-Love, but I think that to go up 4-Love I
had just a weak game, just a couple of weak games there, and let her get into
the match.

Q. Your sister's match is still ongoing. You possibly may be playing each
other. Is there anything you can show her that's not expected?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Probably not (smiling).

Q. Will you watch the rest of her match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I got to do my cool-down. By that time, I probably would have
missed it.

Q. Scouting's not really necessary?

VENUS WILLIAMS: (Laughing) Not necessarily, no. More than anything, I just
want to go out there and play my game, just like I usually do every time.

Q. It's been quite a while, Wimbledon 2003. At this point in your career, you
never look forward to these matches, but at this point how do you feel about
playing her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I dare to differ. It's not that I never looked -- we always
looked forward to the matches. Serena and I always had the kind of attitude,
we didn't really care who we played as long as we were playing, and that
included against both of us. I guess the only setback with playing with each
other is that only one of us can win, and we both want each other to do so
well that that's the only sad part, I think.

Q. Also, it's unusual it's not a final; it's a quarterfinal. Does that take a
little bit away from it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, because we always do so well at this event. I mean, we
had that final appearance in '99. That was a whole lot of fun. So definitely
not the round I guess we'd like to meet in, but in the end it is what it is.

Q. Little Sister has had the edge. Is it time for Big Sister to have a
payback?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely, you know, want to go out there and win the
match, sure.

Q. How much are you practicing with each other these days?

VENUS WILLIAMS: The last couple weeks we've been hitting with each other. You
know, the Australian and stuff like that.

Q. Because your match was tonight and Serena is still playing, going to be
done late, you have to play again tomorrow, it's almost like you're sneaking
this one in. There won't be a lot of hype leading up to it. Is that something
that you like, just to go ahead and let the tennis, you know...

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I mean, it's not like I read the papers. I turn
the TV on mute. I'm tired of the "he said, she said." I've been over it for
years now, so...

Q. At this point is it kind of blase in your mind?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, no, not at all. Not at all. This is a match, and I take
every single match seriously. It's my career. I'm going to do the best I can
no matter who I'm playing.

Q. Most of the competition is between 17- and 18-year-olds, with seniors like
yourself and your sister. Do you think it's adrenaline or just that the
competition has gotten better?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess the competition's getting better, you know.

Q. I saw your dad sitting out there watching you during the match. What does
he do during those times when you guys do play in tournaments? Is he there?
Is he home?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Usually he's not there. I think he went to maybe one, yeah.
But usually he's not. He just feels like, "My job's done now. Whatever
happens, happens."

Q. Your mom has been traveling with you mostly. Is it because you're near
home, is that why dad's here?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It kind of just falls into shifts pretty much. So my dad
would be with us through Charleston and then probably my mom will be with us
through the French. It's kind of been that way for years and years and years
now.

Q. What do you make of Catalina Castano?

VENUS WILLIAMS: She's very good. Seemed like she played at the level that I
was playing. When I played bad, she played better; when I played good, she
didn't play as well. So I think she definitely tries to take her
opportunities, and that's definitely a sign of a good player.

Q. Do you think Serena is the best player on the women's tour right now?

VENUS WILLIAMS: When I'm out here, I couldn't possibly say that someone else
is better than me when I'm competing also so...

Q. You guys obviously are in the limelight a lot. Are you looking forward to
this reality TV show that you are going to be doing?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I just think that -- I don't know what to say right now about
that.

Q. I think you've had enough reality.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I prefer not to talk about it right now.