FEDCUP FIRST ROUND: BELGIUM v USA

April 21, 2007

Venus Williams

DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Venus.

Q. Talk about the weather conditions today, Venus.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was very windy, sometimes even just trying to get
your racquet through. Some of her balls, which were slower, the wind was
blowing. It took some effort to reel it back in.

Q. The short balls inside the service line, when did you get that under
control?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I was just taking my time. Usually the short balls I want to
hit it and run in. Some of them I just hit it and didn't run in. Taking some
off, not going so much for the line, taking a step back so I could take a
step forward.

Q. Your first match back here in Fed Cup in a couple years. How did it feel
to be out there in front of the crowd?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It was exciting. It was really exciting. I think that the
match had some drama, too, with the first set. The second set we were pretty
much even until I got the first break. The match happened quick after that.
So it's nice. Of course, I prefer to win as quickly as possible.

Q. On a windy day like this, is there any advantage to having played and
trained down here so much?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, for sure. But today is the windiest day, of course
(laughter), as soon as play starts. Maybe we'll get a little more lucky
tomorrow. I've played in all kinds of conditions. I've played in matches
where it was so cold, I had to wear a sweater the whole time. So whatever it
takes, especially in Fed Cup.

Q. What did you think of Vania's Star Spangled Banner?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It was so exciting. I wanted to clap right in the middle, but
I didn't know if that was appropriate (laughter). I guess the only thing is
we were to the back of her. I would have loved to have been able to see her
face.
It was exciting.

Q. Did you ever hear her sing before?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I hadn't. I've been in the locker room getting ready or
something like before she sang, but I never heard her, so it's exciting.

Q. Your serve seemed to get better as the match went along. Did you make some
adjustments because of the wind?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was windy. There were a few serves there, too,
where, you know, at the last minute the wind takes the ball. There's nothing
you can do once you have that momentum. It was just important, I tried to
take some off of the first serves. When I felt like it wasn't windy or I had
a 40-Love point or something like that, then I went for a lot more.

Q. In the changeover chair, I imagine Zina had a couple words of advice for
you. What were they?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Keep moving my feet, keep adjusting my feet, to just stay
with it, just to play a few points in a row. I was just rushing. I wanted to
hit great shots. Sometimes it's not about the great shot; sometimes it's
about a good shot.

Q. Were you surprised the way she started like with no complex, started with
an ace?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I know. That was strange because I thought she was going to
miss it because the wind blew it. She started out with a ace. She started out
those first few games in the first set serving well. She started out taking
it from the first shot. She would take the first forehand cross-court, take
it early. I was a step late, even though I'm pretty much going to get to
every ball.
She started out quickly. I did expect that because, first, she's playing for
Belgium. It's totally different, playing for a team. Also she has nothing to
lose. She's not supposed to win this match. And also because I think she's
the kind of player who is more flashy. She can catch fire and play a great
match. So I knew all those things could happen.

Q. I think you said that some of your family and friends were going to come
down. Who was in the crowd today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: My sister, my cousins, our sparring partner, some of the
designers and staff at my design company, V Starr Interiors.

Q. Your dad?
VENUS WILLIAMS: My dad is in Louisiana. My mom is in L.A. They've seen a ton
of matches. It was more people who don't get to see as many matches.

Q. How tight did you feel in the first set?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't feel tight. I was rushing too much. Like I said, I
love greatness, but sometimes it's goodness. It was just about taking that
back. I felt like if she did hit a good, forceful shot, I was going to run it
down. It was just about me not making the errors.

Q. I wanted to ask you, what is this tournament like playing-wise in a
situation as opposed to other tournaments that you play in during the year
just because it's a Fed Cup event? Do you feel differently when you're
playing in these sort of events?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Differently? For sure. For sure I think that the occasion
really it can present pressure. I think also being on the team is a ton of
support. So all in all, it's a wonderful experience.

Q. Do you feel like you're where you hoped to be at this point in the season
after taking so much time last season?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Am I where?

Q. Where you want to be form-wise.
VENUS WILLIAMS: As far as ranking it was at this time to be in the top 20,
and I think I'm like at 22, so it's a little bit off. My goal was to be in
the top 16 at the French Open. I'm not sure if I'll play enough to do that.
But I'll be fine. I feel like I'm where I want to be. I didn't even start the
season as early as I wanted to. I still had to pull out of events, pull out
of Antwerp, Australian Open.
I'm doing fine.