V. Williams Interview - Day 3
Wednesday, 28 June, 2006

Q. You won the match. Did you win the fashion show?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, she looked really cute. She looked real cute. I guess
it was a close one, huh?

Q. What struck you about her costume?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, she, you know, was very '70s inspired with like little
short running shorts and the high knee socks and that kind of thing. It's
really like American apparel right now.

Q. Is that part of what women sell to the fans? When you talk about equal
prize money, maybe you didn't spend a long time playing tennis on the court,
but is fashion part of what you think the women offer the fans?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think individually the players, the women players, view
fashion differently. Obviously, for Bethanie, she's always coming out with
some kind of new little outfit. Some players are straightforward.

As far as equal prize money issue, I don't think it falls in that realm.

Q. That was pretty much a perfect start to the defense of your title, wasn't
it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you. I felt good out there. She was a worthy opponent.
It seemed like I had all the right answers when she came up with some very
good shots, too. That helped.

Q. What was your preparation for this, having not played any warm up
tournaments?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You'd be surprised very (smiling).

My preparation, I just went home and hit the hard courts, got it done. I
really haven't played any preparation tournaments I think since like '98, so
it's been a while. My method has worked pretty good.

Q. The calf length Dr. J socks, what did you think of them?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I liked them. I liked them. I want some, too. I need some
with a yellow stripe.

Q. 10 pounds from Harrod's.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I have some at home. I haven't worn them on the court.
Different colors. I kind of wear them off the court. Maybe I should take an
example and wear some on court, too.

Q. Is it ever off putting if someone has an incredible outfit, does it ever
put you off your game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, because if someone's incredible outfit puts you off your
game, mentally you're not ready to be a professional tennis player (smiling).

Q. What did you do to prepare yesterday afternoon and evening? Were you in
Harrod's shopping?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Was I in Harrod's at Krispy Kreme?

No, I just read a book and sat on the couch. My physio made me stretch. I
didn't want to do it.

Q. What are you reading?

VENUS WILLIAMS: A book called Mount Dragon by Lord have mercy, I can't
remember. Lincoln Child and I think Douglas Preston, yeah.

Q. It seems like your father was waiting for you for a few minutes in
training. Did you get a telling off?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I'm not supposed to be late, but I'm an adult now. He
can't really... (laughter).

When I was much younger, quite possibly 17. In a way, I wish someone could
like really like control me. But not any more.

But, you know, I do what I'm told. Obviously, that's the key to success in my
game, is following my coach's instructions. It happens to be my dad.

Q. Back to fashion. I liked your little tattoo. I haven't seen that before.
Can you tell us where you got that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's from tattoos, like little crystal tattoos I had. I had
them at Serena's house in LA. Like if you leave something there and you don't
put it away, it disappears, like the house eats it. After about a year, I
finally found them again. It was a happy reunion because they're so cute, I
love them.

Q. Why did you decide to wear them today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I finally remembered. I had them, I found them after the
French.

Q. You, Ame'lie, Maria today, Martina and Justine yesterday, won so easily,
so quickly. Does that argue against the equal prize money because you went
barely an hour on court?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not at all. It's not a factor in our campaign on equality.

Q. What are your thoughts on John McEnroe agreeing with your arguments about
equal prize money? He's not a guy that always agrees with you about
everything.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I respect John McEnroe as a champion, always have. I've
only had good things to say about him I feel like in the past. I understand
he has four daughters also. I think if he were ever to see his four daughters
do anything, in tennis or secularly in the workplace, anywhere in the world,
he'd want them to be treated just as well as his sons. So I think he
understands that.

It's very nice to have a world champion like him, someone who has a respected
opinion, to speak up on the women's behalf. I have a lot of respect for him.
I'd actually like to say a big thank you to him if I get to see him. If not,
please write it in the paper. Thank you, John.

Q. Tony Blair, our prime minister, came out in favor of equal prize money.
How does that make you feel?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I just did hear that. It's very exciting. It's really very
exciting because this is something I personally feel very strongly about,
that the women players feel very strongly about, something we all have worked
very, very hard to definitely be on the same page on and to have a collected
effort to really, really, really represent women around the world through the
venue of tennis.

So the fact that Mr. Blair finds this cause extremely important really gives
credence to, you know, the free world that this is something that really
makes sense and something that needs to be done.

Q. You don't think lopsided matches like the matches today hurt your case?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I like winning easy. Normally it means I've played very well.

Q. I don't mean you specifically, but collectively the matches that have
taken place today.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, it has nothing to do with it.

Q. What is your defense to those that would argue it does support the All
England Club's position?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I would say my defense and the rest of the women on the tour
also is that we aren't involved in arguing the points of time spent on court,
sets played, that's a moot topic. What it's really about is being treated
equal as a human being. That's really our platform, and it's the truth.

THE MODERATOR: Can I just butt in here. We have a special questioner here who
has won a special children's BBC competition to get the right to put a
question to Venus.

Ruby, what is your question?

Q. Who do you think your toughest opponent will be this year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: My toughest opponent this year? Uhm, I think the toughest
opponent is, you know, really the whole circumstance, like playing at
Wimbledon, knowing that I have the possibility to win it with each round. And
sometimes that can be really overwhelming. So sometimes the own fight is
within, like within your own head.

I feel I've got it down. Done pretty good here. And, uhm, I think I'll be
able to overcome it.

That was a very nice question. Thanks, Ruby.

Q. What did you think of the fashion of the Wimbledon line judges today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Nice. Nice. It was very refreshing. It was definitely, uhm, a
throwback to gentle times of the '20s and that sort of thing. I appreciate
it, you know, as someone who enjoys fashion.

Q. What is it specifically about your game that plays so well on grass?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Because I like to play aggressive and I'm all about moving
forward and taking my opportunities. I think I just have the mentality also
for it. And plus obviously my serve. So all of it I guess plays well into it.