TENNIS WTA MONTREAL – 9th of August 2014. V. Williams d. S. Williams 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. An interview with Venus Williams
Q. First win over Serena in over five years. How does it feel?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I mean, it was a tough match out there. I don’t think we played for a number of years, as well. It’s not like we’ve been playing year in and year out.
So I definitely expected a tough match. She played well. She hit so many aces. You know, hopefully I can play that well tomorrow, as well.
Q. Serena said she felt you were serving better today in spite of all those aces. Did you feel that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don’t know. I just felt like if I didn’t serve better, then I would probably not fare so well. I think that was maybe some extra motivation of getting some more first serves in.
I think we were both serving pretty equal. I think in the first she served a little better. In the second I was maybe a little more consistent maybe with the first serve percentage, but I haven’t looked at the percentages yet either, so I’m not sure.
Q. How has the emotional charge from playing Serena changed from match 1 through 25?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think for both of us, what’s so unique about the situation is that we’re both very good players. I think typically you may have some siblings, one is quite good, one is not as good, so you kind of know what the result is, or the one that’s better knows they’re going to win.
I think we both know when we walk out there, it’s not like you’re guaranteed a win. I think that’s what makes it challenging for both of us.
Q. Last year after repeated victories Novak Djokovic entertained the crowd by doing a crazy victory dance. Is there a particular song you would groove to?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don’t know what song I’m into right now. There’s a couple of songs, I think. Maybe I should prepare something special.
I don’t know. I mean, if I’m fortunate enough to win this tournament, then I’m sure it will be dance worthy. But got to get there first.
Q. What would it mean to you to win this tournament?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It would mean a lot to me because I’ve been dreaming of winning a tournament at this level since I got back on tour. Like, wow, if I could win one of these, so…
You try and you try and you try. There’s disappointments. One day you get a little closer. So this is my ‘little closer’ right now. By all means, I definitely want to keep getting to this area where you’re getting closer to the winner’s circle.
Q. How much more do you appreciate playing Serena now that the frequency isn’t how it used to be?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don’t think anyone appreciates playing Serena. Let’s get it straight. She’s tough to play. You just are glad when she’s on the other side of the draw somewhere far away, so…
Yes, you appreciate when you can somehow manage to get a win. I think that’s kind of what it is. Then you just hope the next time you play it could go on your side again.
Q. Your level of play has been consistently high lately. Almost like you’ve gone into a time machine a little bit. I’m wondering if that’s because you almost had to reset, and have you learned to put it together in a new way, manage the illness, manage the time? Is this a result of relearning with a new factor to how to be a professional tennis player?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, actually I would say it’s a great guess (smiling). But I would say it’s not that.
I just feel better. I pray I can keep this. That’s all I pray for nowadays. Well, I pray for a lot more. That would be selfish if that’s all I pray for. If I could keep this, then that would be amazing.
Q. Nobody knows Serena’s game better than you do. How far do you think she is from getting to her top level again?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Serena is at her top level. You can’t win every match. I think that’s just how life is. You can’t win ’em all.
She pretty much has won ’em all for the last couple years. So sometimes you just can’t do it all. So whether or not she’s at the highest level I think is clear.
She’s No. 1. Nobody wants to play her. If you do, you have to play the match of your life. That’s apparent. There’s no doubt on that.
Q. I’m ignorant about your illness. How do you feel better? Sometimes you feel better, sometimes you don’t? Do you have to manage it with some sort of pharmaceuticals?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yes.
Q. Hopefully nothing illegal.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Hell, no. I have a regimen that I keep. I never get into details. One of these days when I’m gone I’ll talk about it a little more. At this point I have to remain competitive, so it’s important for me to just, you know, get out there and not complain.
If I don’t win, I don’t win. I go out and try to figure out how I can do it. That’s pretty much what I’ve done. If I haven’t won for whatever reason, I go back to that drawing board and try to figure it out. I think my recent success has been a result of that.
Q. The regimen, is that drugs you’re managing it with?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, there’s typical drugs, pharmaceuticals, whatever you like to call them, pharmaceutical grade drugs that are typical treatments for Sjogren’s and what I have. So that’s what I do.