TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN – 20th of January 2015. S.Williams d. A.Van Uytvanck 6-0, 6-4. An interview with Serena Williams
Q. How did you feel about your game?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I felt okay. As always, I had the jitters going out in the first match of a Grand Slam. So, yeah, it’s never super easy to be the one that everyone wants to beat. So I always have to be a little bit above. But, yeah, I felt okay. I definitely think I can improve a tremendous amount.
Q. The jitters, you talk about being nervous before the first round. You win the first set 6- Love. How does that play into it?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I just focus on holding serve in general, and I focus on breaking. So I don’t focus on necessarily my nerves. I just think, Okay, I want to hold serve and I want to break. That’s all I do. That kind of helps me to get over it.
Q. Do the jitters get more as there’s more pressure being No. 1 or less because you’ve had so much experience?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I think overall it stays the same. But I just am more open to talking about it. Before I was very quiet about it. But even today I told Patrick, I’m a little nervous. He’s like, It’s okay. Just make sure you keep your feet moving. I’m more open about it now.
Q. Can you compare the nervousness you feel in the first round of a Grand Slam versus a final?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, usually when you get to a final, you want to win. I just want to do the best I can. Yeah, I think it’s different because at least when you’re in a final, you have a little momentum. When you’re in a first round, you don’t have momentum. Usually the nerves aren’t as bad in general for me in a final. There’s been finals where I’ve been really, really tight.
Q. You talked about concentrating on breaking and holding, moving your feet. Anything else you do in terms of calming yourself down? Breathing, meditation, anything else you do?
SERENA WILLIAMS: There’s a lot of things I do. A lot of mental things that I do. A lot of little tricks that I have in my mind that I just roll around for years and years, always try to stick to ’em. I notice the more I do ’em, the better I play. Things that help keep me focused.
Q. You’ve been well-known to have a lot of off- court activities in your career. Do you think all of that has helped you with your success in tennis or is that a whole other part of your life?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It’s definitely a different part of my life. I’ve always been different and I’ve always liked to plan for my future. I’ve always enjoyed different things. Even when I was younger, I just did so many different things. Inevitably it helps me appreciate what I love to do most, which is play tennis.
Q. Caroline and Victoria Azarenka will play in the second round. How hard is it early in a slam to play someone who is such a top player, highly regarded player?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It’s definitely not easy. She has to play Victoria. I have to play Zvonareva. We have both pretty intense second-round matches, players who have been to the finals and one who has won Grand Slams. It’s going to be tricky for her and for me as well just to stay focused. I think we all come out even more focused when we’re playing someone really good.
Q. After having ordered the coffee, what are you allowed to order on court and what would you like to order beyond espresso?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Depends. If I’m down, I might want to call my buddy Jack. Maybe that wouldn’t be good (smiling). Yeah, no, I don’t know what’s allowed. A hamburger, French fries.
Q. Pizza?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I love eating pizza. I can’t have it this fortnight. I don’t want to break my dress (smiling).
Q. Do they ever instruct the players that these are the things you can do?
SERENA WILLIAMS: That’s why I asked. I want to be completely honest. Is it okay? I have no idea. I think that might be a new rule in the rule book. We’ll see.
