An interview with:

VENUS WILLIAMS

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Venus.


Q. How did you turn it around in the first set?

VENUS WILLIAMS: She played really well in the first set. I have to give her
credit. She just played really aggressively. You know, she was making her
shots, doing everything she needed to do to win the match.

But, you know, obviously it takes a lot to close out a match, especially on
an important match like that one. I was able just to get some footing back in
and start to execute the way I wanted to.


Q. Apart from 2003, the Australian Open hasn't been a kind tournament to you.
Are you comfortable with the way you're playing now?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I mean, yeah, I'm comfortable with my game, absolutely.


Q. Would you like to have met Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinal?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I can't choose the draw. This is impossible, so...


Q. Have you thought about it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Like I said, how the tournaments work, nothing is
predictable, nothing is set in stone. It is what it is. You just have to play
that round, whoever it is.

I don't pick and choose who I play, nor do I try or think about it.


Q. Do you think it would have been a great match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm sure we'll play sometime in the future.


Q. You played very well second and especially the third set. Did you expect
that from yourself? Were you somehow worried about yourself or never?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I really was in the moment and just focusing on what I
needed to do in that moment, on that point. You know, it worked out for me,
so it was good.

No thinking about the past today.


Q. I met your mother in the elevator. She said you have sometimes problems to
wake up in the morning. The first set you made four double-faults, some
problems with your serve. After you served pretty well.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, you know how moms are. Moms are moms.


Q. You lost the first game of the second set so quickly. What is your mind
frame there? Are you still really confident?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, I just realized I was rushing a little too much and I
just really needed to take my time. I mean, that worked.

So, uhm, it's just the first game. A long way to go after the first game
still, and I knew that. Everyone knows that. So, yeah.


Q. At 29, do you still feel you can win the Australian Open? You said earlier
in the week your body is fresh.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'm ready to go and I feel very well. Obviously, you
know, hitting the ball pretty good, especially against her today. She was
really playing well.


Q. Depending on what happens, you're scheduled to meet Serena in the semis. I
think she's beaten you the last four times you've played. Do you feel there's
something you need to turn around there? Is there a reason she's been on top
of you more lately?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean, really, every match I play, I give a hundred
percent. You know, when I lose matches, I really do try to evaluate and bring
it back better the next time. I do that every time.

So, you know, yeah.


Q. What do you have to do to beat her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Play better.


Q. Do you feel like she likes playing against you, or is it a hard thing for
both of you when that happens?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it's challenging because we're both so good. We both
want to win. It's just difficult I think for us to play against each other
because I think we have so much respect for each other's game.


Q. Have you watched the match Na Li played against Wozniacki?

VENUS WILLIAMS: She's a very good player. I really didn't see a lot of the
match. Obviously to beat Wozniacki, you have to play very well consistently.
I'm sure she did that. Probably will try to do that in the next round.


Q. People will remember your loss in the Olympics against her. Do you think
that loss will help you to know her better, take something from that to this
match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Uhm, honestly, I guess I don't think of it the same way. I'm
really just focusing on the now. I don't make it too complicated.


Q. There's been people writing stories about your underpants more than
whether you have a chance to win this tournament. Are people not taking your
game seriously?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I can't tell people to take my game seriously or not. I mean,
if I got involved in all that -- you know, I can't tell people what to write,
what to do.

I'm really not into all that.


Q. From an Italian perspective, I hope you will excuse it. Can you tell me
why you think you've lost four times out of seven with Pennetta, and instead
you beat Schiavone six times out of six? Coincidence? Do you think there is
some explanation?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I think she had some good days against me. I really
don't think I always brought my best tennis. A lot of errors sometimes
against Flavia. She played well.

What can I say other than that?


Q. When Hollywood makes a movie about the Williams sisters, who would you
like to see play you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No idea. I haven't given that any thought. If that ever does
happen, I guess -- I don't know.


Q. Will you play the Fed Cup against France for the first round?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Is the first one against France?


Q. Yes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm actually not playing, so sorry.