TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN – 26th of January 2015. V.Williams d. A.Radwanska 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. An interview with Venus Williams
Q. After falling behind an early break in the third set, what was your mentality? What were you telling yourself?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Honestly, I don’t know. I just felt like in the third set I was trying to get back to the form that I was in in the first set. I didn’t do a lot wrong in that first game. It was just overhit some, missed an easy one that would have definitely helped my cause. It was frustrating but I stayed focused and I wanted to just continue playing like I did in the first game because it was really the right way to play.
Q. Do you think your mentality was any different today in the third set than compared to a year ago? Were you more positive, more confident?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess so. I don’t know. A year’s a long time. But obviously just executing on a lot more points a lot more consistently. I think a year ago I had a lot more trouble with putting a lot of good points together. That comes with just being able to play, playing consistently. For a while there I think I was just kind of on and off tour a lot. That starts to take a toll no matter how many matches you’ve won. So I think just being able to build that momentum up, play matches, start to play a lot of good points in a row has been a difference.
Q. Because of the opponent, because of the occasion, does it feel like the biggest win for you in a while?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don’t know. I mean, I guess from the outside looking in, I guess it could look like that. But for me I’m just really focused and poised right now. I feel like I’ve been here before, so it’s not like I’m jumping up and down for joy, Oh, shoot, what is this? I’ve never done this. Yes, I’ve done this. This is what I’m always going into each tournament thinking I want to do, even when I fall short. It’s definitely not the first time. I guess that’s how I feel.
Q. Does it feel overdue?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Things take time. Of course, I want to be playing deep in all my events. Everybody wants that. But it really just doesn’t happen every time for everyone. Now is my moment and I want to keep this moment going all year and then next year too. But that will take work.
Q. Three Americans into the quarterfinals. There are two Williamses in the quarterfinals. That’s happened over 20 times. Comment on Katrina being president of the USTA and three African American women in the quarterfinals.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely think that’s for another outsider looking in because I just think about if I’m winning or not. Definitely I want the Americans to do well. We’re always rooting for each other. But at the end of the day that’s so out of your control. I hadn’t thought of the tournament that way at all until you mentioned it. I was thinking about my progress and what things I could do for my game. Of course, rooting Serena on as well. So that’s unfortunately how I look at it a lot of the times.
Q. Do you feel your performances affect people and are an inspiration?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely. I think all of us touch lives in ways that we never dreamed of growing up as kids. You just want to be No. 1 in the world, you want to win a major. You never think about the people you inspire from your efforts and your attitude. Yes, that’s been my experience in my life and most professional players I think it’s their experience as well.
Q. How happy were you with the way you played tonight, the quality of your tennis?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think I played well when it mattered. Her style of game was completely different than the first three players I played. The first three players I played tried to blast me off the court. This was the first time there was any sort of rhythm at all. The way she hits the ball is so different times, especially for a player like me, you feel like, Wow, why am I not hitting more winners? That’s not just always the answer. It’s definitely a balance between being aggressive and being patient and being smart because the way she plays is very deceptive. Not everyone plays that way. Definitely a good win against her.
Q. Do you see similarities from what you’re seeing in Madison, between her game and Lindsay’s game?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely. Lindsay used to just hit a clean ball. She was so fun to watch play. I loved watching her play. Of course, didn’t love watching her hit those clean balls against you. That was a part of it as well. I thought she brought a lot to tennis. I think she should actually get more credit. People don’t always mention her name. But she was an amazing player. Yeah, definitely some similarities. Madison hits a clean ball, goes for it. So it looks like it’s a good match.
Q. With your recovery between matches, the off days, nowadays are you able to do in your off days what you were able to do five or six years ago or have you had to tweak your off days to maximize your energy levels for your matches?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I don’t do as much as I used to. I definitely don’t get around. I just hang out and rest a lot. So no dinners, no shopping. I just hang out and enjoy the peace and tranquility of my room.
Q. Still fun?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, I amuse myself. That room is bouncing, bumping. But, no, I just try to really stay focused on preserving my energy.
