2000

Wimbledon

July 4

V. WILLIAMS/M. Hingis

6-3, 4-6, 6-4

Q. Did you want to run around with the American flag?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. That's taking it too far. Most of all, it was a good win for me because I've never advanced past the quarterfinals. The two times I was in the quarters, I had some tough, heartbreaking matches. Today I was ready to pull this one out because I had a bad history. Most of all I've had a tough year. I'm still in my fourth tournament. It's been real hard for me just to be consistent. Today I was that.

Q. It looked like after you hit that ace to win the match, just your reaction was the weight of the world had been lifted off. Was it that much pressure?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Come on now, no. What do you mean? I felt going into the match confident. I felt like I was playing well. Naturally if I had won the match 6-2, 6-2, it would have been different. But I was doing a lot of running, I had some tough service games, some tough return games. When I hit the ace, it's a great way to end it.

Q. How big is this for you, both in terms of your rivalry with Hingis and your opportunity now to play your sister in a major like this?

VENUS WILLIAMS: This is great because I've never had the opportunity to win a major against Hingis. This is the fourth time we've played. Also because, just like any other competitor, I want to advance, no matter who I'm playing. As a competitor, I was ready to go out and compete.

Q. What did you tell yourself on the changeover, last changeover before you served it out? "No nerves, no jitters, just go for it"?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I wasn't thinking too much, actually. Maybe I said to myself, "I'm not losing serve." But I felt like I was in control because I have a good serve. I was serving pretty well today - not nearly close to my best, but it was very consistent. And also because once we got in the rally, I felt like I was in control, unless of course I made a mistake. That usually was how it went. Either I was making winners or making mistake. But I was willing to take that risk.

Q. You seem very measured now, pleased with your victory. Right afterward, you had great joy. Can you take us back to that moment for a minute?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, because I had a tough match today. I didn't really expect it to go three sets, but unfortunately it did. Then again, it's a great match for Wimbledon and all the fans because nobody wants to see 6-2, 6-2's. It's not a match, you know. A match is when everyone goes head-to-head and they're really out there competing, giving their best. I think that's what happened today.

Q. Facing Serena, what's most exciting for you and what's the biggest challenge?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Most exciting is that we both are here. The biggest challenge is that Serena is extremely powerful, extremely dangerous. You know, she knows everything I know.

Q. She says she used to cheat when she'd play you.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, Serena was a cheater (laughter). I just rolled with it. It's tough to argue against Serena because she was so good at arguing, so good at cheating, it was no use.

Q. You're not going to go so light on her tomorrow if she starts arguing calls?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Not at all. Is it tomorrow?

Q. Thursday.

VENUS WILLIAMS: If so, you've just got to be ready. I don't think this time we're going to be calling. I don't think we have that choice. Hopefully I won't get any hooks, (paying any?) line judges.

Q. Serena has rolled through this tournament without breaking a sweat. You had a demanding match today, gave yourself a little more trouble in the previous two matches than you would have liked.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't understand.

Q. You yourself admitted that you let the other two women before get back into the match. Is it any problem at all you've played these more difficult matches and she breezed her way through?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I see it as opportunity - not opportunity against Serena. First of all, it's been a little tough for me. This is the first time I've been playing good tennis that I've been playing tennis. Before it was, I don't know. But then again I'm happy because I was able to play mostly players in the Top 30. Usually I have to play these players in the Top 100. When I get a win, I gather four points. This time it's been better. I get to play the high-ranked players. Sure, the matches shouldn't have went so far, but they did. In the end, the win goes down in the record.

Q. How do you feel about playing Serena? Is it awkward or bittersweet that one of you has to go out Thursday?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, sure, one of us will be bitter, but not to the degree, I guess, of usually you'd be bitter if you lost in the semifinals. Naturally, one of us will be in the final. That will be great. We're always happy for each other.

Q. Would it be fair to say that today's win was your biggest one in a Slam since you beat Spirlea?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. Maybe.

Q. What did your father say to you? Have you spoken to him? He seemed rather happy after the match.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I spoke to him. We didn't talk about anything at all really, just the regular things, "Good job, good match."

Q. Is this what you always saw yourselves doing, meeting in a major like this in an advanced round, final or semifinal?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, for sure. We always believed that most of all because our parents told us that, that this would happen, that's what we were working for. That's how we saw it. That's how we visualized it, sure.

Q. At what age did they start telling you that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: From the very beginning.

Q. Four to five years old?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, sure. My parents were really positive. We were always taught to believe we were the best, even if we weren't the best. We feel we are the best. But under all circumstances, we've always believed it. You come into a match, you come into the tournament, you believe that no one's better. As a competitor, there's no way you should believe that someone is better than you.

Q. When you were Juniors, you met in a final, you didn't play each other.

VENUS WILLIAMS: It happened once.

Q. I thought when you played each other in a final of a tournament, there were times where you didn't actually play the match.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Serena and I were in two different divisions. But it happened once. Serena and I were both entered, I think it was the 10's.

Q. You didn't play the final?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, we played the final.

Q. Who do you turn to for advice before playing your sister?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't even think we're going to get advice. At this point my dad will probably say, "Here's the balls, go practise." That's what he did at the Lipton last time. I tell Serena, "Give me an overhead. Okay, let's go." The rest of the day we just enjoyed ourselves.

Q. The scouting report on your sister is?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I just hope that I'll be able to play better than her. She's really been blazing her past opponents, no mercy. I want to go in with that same attitude.

Q. I understand that Gladys Knight is a big fan of yours. Will she be here Thursday watching?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. Maybe so, if she's still in town. That would be nice.

Q. You said that a competitor should never believe that the person she's going to compete with is better. Where do you think Serena rates with you? What beliefs do you have going into the match against her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Serena and I are a lot of the same player, but then we're totally different. With the stroke, it's almost the same also, but we execute it differently because we have totally different bodies. I have long arms and long legs. She's more compact. But in the end, we have the same coach, so it's going to be who's better technically and who makes the less mistakes.

Q. Serena said in New York after she won that she always thought that the US Open was probably her best chance of a Slam. She felt that this was yours, Wimbledon. Do you think that's right?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think we both just had dreams to win that. She had a dream to win the US Open. I had a dream to win Wimbledon. But as far as I'm concerned, we have the best chance at any Grand Slam we enter.

Q. Do you feel especially comfortable on the grass? Having had so long out of tennis, six months, you look particularly well-suited at the moment.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Because I'm more willing to come in. Every year that I've played here, I feel better on the grass. The first year was great, but I never disliked the grass. Every year I like it much more, much more.

Q. When you come back from the kind of injury you've had, what's the hardest thing to find? Is it your touch?

VENUS WILLIAMS: For me the hardest thing was consistency, because in my mind I was there, but with my strokes I just wasn't there. It was all I could do usually to keep the ball in. I had no control.

Q. Will your father watch the match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Will he be watching the match?

Q. Yes.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Sure.

Q. He was saying he might not.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. You'll have to ask him. He'll probably say, "Go, Venus. Go, Serena."

Q. Were you aware at what point Serena came in to watch you today? Did you know she had won?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I figured she won, it went so fast. I suppose it was 3-2. It was like, "Wow." I thought, "I have to do the same thing." But it didn't go that way.

Q. Any added pressure to see her sitting there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, because I know Serena is going to be really supportive. If I start making mistakes, she was really going to clap and say, "You can do it, Venus." She's a great supporter.

Q. Serena said she didn't think you played your best today.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

Q. Do you agree?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I didn't play my best, but I played okay. I got the job done.

Q. Does Serena have any kind of mental edge because she's won a Grand Slam at this point?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. You'd have to ask her. Seeing I've never won one, I don't know how it feels. I won a few tournaments. I know how that feels. We'll see.

Q. How important is it to you to win one?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Sure, everyone wants to win Wimbledon. Doesn't matter if I'm playing Serena or I'm playing Pete Sampras, I'm going to want to win Wimbledon.

Q. How do you think you'd do against Pete?

VENUS WILLIAMS: 2 and 2.

Q. Don't you think that sometimes you are too anxious to finish the point, that you should wait a little bit?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah, for sure. But that's my game. I'm going to go for it. If I stop going for it and start spinning, I become the average player. If I don't take advantage of my power and my ability to move forward, then that's a minus to me. I actually play a lot worse. If I actually just go for it, I play a lot better. I don't know how to play holding back really.

Q. Both you and your sister have said that neither one of you guys have played your best tennis. Is it possible we'll see it when you guys are playing each other?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Neither one of us have, I would agree with that, because we both have kind of came back from injury. We haven't been at the top tier of our game. We're hoping to get there tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a good show.

July 6, 2000

V. WILLIAMS/S. Williams

6-2, 7-6

Q. How difficult was it playing each other?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was very difficult because the pressure was always on. You know, we're both shot makers. It was a tough match. It was a very powerful match.

Q. What about the dynamics of being sisters, being on the court together?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Maybe I knew her game more.

Q. You seemed very calm, didn't show much emotion out there at all. Where did that come from? How did you maintain that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think in general, Serena is a little more emotional than what I am. I don't know. It's different if we were playing in the final, but it was just the semifinals, yet it's such a big deal. But if it was in the final, it would have been a lot more joyous moment.

Q. We may all be conspiracy theorists, but was there any arrangement out there between you two today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, not that I'm aware of.

Q. You used the dry volley a lot today - swing volley.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Swing volley.

Q. Is that one of your favourite shots?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I love that shot. It's one of my favourites.

Q. Do you practise that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I practise it a little bit at the end of practise. Actually, most of the practise in that shot came when we were like 9, 10, 11, 12, before we went pro. It's always been in our repertoire. It's always been a shot we hit. I love that shot. It's one of my best shots.

Q. You came off the court and talked to the BBC about being the big sister. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit more about that now.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I'm always the big sister. I always take care of Serena, no matter what. I always make the decisions. I'm always a role model for Serena. Sometimes, I wouldn't say it switches, but sometimes, you know, I do what she does, she does what I do. But still I am the big sister, so I'm always worried about her.

Q. What did you say at the end of the match today? I saw you put your arm around her.

VENUS WILLIAMS: "Let's go, Serena."

Q. Kind of looking out for her even at the end?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, yeah. I didn't want you guys to harass her or anything.

Q. Did you change the way you reacted outwardly when the final point was struck because of that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't think there was any reaction. I didn't even get to play the point. You know, it ended so abruptly.

Q. You weren't happy that you won?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, and the umpire , he said "match" right away. It was kind of hard to believe the match was over already.

Q. How bittersweet is this? How much is sadness about Serena losing and how much is joy about you winning at the conclusion of this?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's really bitter, but someone had to move on. It was either going to be me or Serena. In this instance, it was me. I really think she showed me how to play today actually. I was just doing what she was doing.

Q. And what are your duties now as big sister, seeing how sad Serena looked? She was obviously sad walking off that court.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah, yeah. You know, she's a younger sister. You know, that's the way it is when you're younger. You always get your way. You know, anyone who's had a younger sibling knows that. When they don't get their way, mom and dad step in, "Give her the ice cream." As far as the older sister, you know, or the older brother, you know, you roll with the punches. If you win or you lose, you don't get the ice cream, it's okay.

Q. How much did seeing Serena's sadness take away from your enjoyment of the moment?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I know Serena lost. She's a real competitor, probably even more than what I am as far as when it comes to losing. She hates to lose. So that really hurts her deep.

Q. You put your arm around her. What did you say to her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I said, "Let's get out of here."

Q. Was there a real turning point in the match for you, the point where you thought it was yours?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, no. Last two matches I played, I've been pretty focused, not giving up too many points. Playing Serena and playing Hingis are two totally different things. Serena and I are usually going to play on that line and go for it. Hingis is going to camp out far behind the baseline against someone like me or Serena and just run down a lot of balls.

Q. How would you characterize the way Serena played today? You came in and talked about how she played the other day.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she just put out her best game today, just like she played the other girls. Today I was able to pick up the level of my serving, and then I had some pretty tough holds of serve in the second set, too, where I went for it because my mom said, "You have opportunities, you just have to go for them." I knew Serena would take the opportunity if I didn't, so. . .

Q. You said you just wanted to get out of there. At the end you didn't curtsy to the Royal Box. Was there nobody there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: There was no one there.

Q. What are the differences in the emotions of beating just anybody else and today beating Serena for you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I would have been much more happy. But it was like when we beat Martina Navratilova the other day. It's tough to see her go, but we had no other choice except to win the match. The same thing today. It's tough to see one of us go, but there was no other choice, unless we both said, "Hey, we're not going to play. See you later."

Q. Do you think it will be difficult to get psychologically prepared for the final?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't think so, no.

Q. Can you speak about the history of playing a sister at this tournament? Do you have any sense of what was going on today compared to what happened in the past?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I believe the first final was played by the sisters.

Q. How does that make you feel?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I feel regular.

Q. Were you both feeling a little bit tight in that first set? Seemed neither one of you were really playing as loose as you had in other matches.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

Q. Compared to the second set.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I didn't feel tight. I don't think she felt tight either. I think we both went for it. The first set, first game, I had like a 97 mile-an-hour second serve. I don't think that's too tight.

Q. You said to the BBC right afterwards it was not so much fun. Was it uncomfortable the whole time, the whole experience?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It wasn't fun because it was a semifinal. If it had been a final, it would have been all great fun, you know.

Q. What did your dad say to you about why he wasn't watching the match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I haven't seen him until after the match, when I went in the locker room.

Q. Was he there then?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't see him.

Q. What did he tell you this morning about why he wouldn't be watching the match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't ask him. He didn't say anything.

Q. You talked a lot about how you felt about being a big sister. Do you think it's an inhibition to the little sister, as aggressive as she is? How do you think she may feel competing against the big sister?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think that as a big sister, I was always able to get things first. Got my car first, you know, went to school first, things like that, driver's license first. So, you know, for like the little sister - especially because there were four ahead of her - it's like always playing catch-up maybe.

Q. She got her Grand Slam first.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.

Q. How has that affected your relationship leading up to this match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: None at all. None at all. None at all.

Q. Looks like you're going to play Lindsay in the final. Could you talk about that, meeting Lindsay, the defending champion?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. She's had some injuries, just like I have, so we're kind of in the same boat. Definitely we are both going to want to raise the level of our games. I feel like I've raised the level of my game already, especially in this match, and in the last match also. When the final comes, it's a grand occasion, I think we're both going to go at it.

Q. How would you compare your game to the US Open final in '97, where you were then to now? Completely different?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I mean, that was my third Grand Slam. I wasn't even full-time on the tour. I didn't understand any strategy as far as let's say you're down breakpoint, maybe you should get your first serve in. Things like that never came to my mind. It was totally different circumstances, yeah. It's extremely different from now.

Q. Was there ever any point, any game where you looked across and didn't say, "That's her over there," where you really could forget who it was over there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Could I forget?

Q. Yes, just play tennis.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I didn't really forget that was her over there. You know, I know more what she's going to do maybe than other opponents. She knows more what I'm going to do. Especially since we play doubles together, we tell each other what we're going to do. But if she does something, she served the T, hits that serve, I know she's going there, not so much I can do about it.

Q. Were you aware that everybody was picking Serena to win this match, the papers, a lot of the other players?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I felt like Serena was even a favourite going into the match. She's playing more clean tennis than what I was. Probably also people thought she would win because she's won a Grand Slam before. But, yeah, I felt she was the favourite going into the match, too.

Q. Did it help you at all being the underdog?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

Q. When you look back, starting out playing on a hard court in California, in a neighbourhood, now you've played her in Rome, Melbourne, Germany, Florida, you come to the most celebrated court in the world, what feelings do you have about that, starting so humbly and coming this far?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, it's my life. The whole time I've had a great time, I've had a great life. I haven't had a lot of problems. Sure, you know, maybe living in Compton isn't like the most desired place to live, not in the Top 100. But I had a great time. I still miss the ice cream trucks.

Q. At that court, the ice cream trucks?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, they had the best ice cream trucks. Spent all my allowance on the ice cream trucks.

Q. A lot of people have been talking about playing your sister, developing over a period of years. Do you think the nature of that competition might change over the years? If you keep playing each other and you keep playing each other, it will become less of an event, less spectacular?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think it will become less spectacular. Most of all, Serena and I have to promise ourselves to start playing solid tennis every time so that we can be 1 and 2, then meet in the finals. It will be a natural thing.

Women's champion Venus Williams

V. Williams v. L. Davenport

6-4, 7-5

An interview with: VENUS WILLIAMS

MODERATOR: Questions for Venus.

Q. Would you consider this your sweetest victory of the year or is it just satisfying because you felt like you had something to prove and you proved it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I feel that it was a very nice victory because I feel like I played Lindsay when she was playing some of her best tennis, and I won the match. That was nice because I've beaten the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the rankings successively. That's always really exciting when you win a Grand Slam tournament, that you know you performed your best and beat the best performers, too.

Q. No matter what the computer rankings say, you won the two most prestigious tournaments of the year. Do you feel like the best player of the year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I feel very good. I've always felt like the best player. I think it's just about an attitude, the kind of attitude you take out there towards your game, towards everything, and it paid off. I wasn't playing too well in the beginning of the week, and even yesterday. But in the end, I guess I did the right things at the right time.

Q. After the match you said something to your father. Were you indicating that you were hurt somewhere?

VENUS WILLIAMS: We were just talking, you know, like fathers and daughters talk.

Q. But you haven't hurt yourself in any way?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

Q. Can you talk about your ability to come back? You did it against Martina; you did it again today.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. It's like yesterday I really don't remember really what happened. I remember the first set, but after that I don't really remember too much until about maybe 5-All. And today, I was just playing. I didn't feel like I was playing the US Open final; I felt like I was just playing a game and that it was just only a game. That's how I felt. At one point, I didn't know in the second set if I was up 3-2 or she was up 3-2. I had to ask the umpire the score because I was just playing. So that's a nice feeling.

Q. Anything going through your head down 4-1 the first set?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I had been playing all the wrong tennis, I felt, and my strategy was not working. So I just had to change it up. And I think it was just some minor changes, but it worked out.

Q. What did you change? What were the changes?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You never noticed?

Q. How does this compare to Wimbledon? You always said Wimbledon was the first you wanted. Now you have this.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, at Wimbledon I was playing pretty good tennis throughout the whole time, all the time - my serve, my forehand, my backhand. This two weeks, I didn't really play extremely satisfying tennis, and maybe even I was less confident than, let's say, Wimbledon. Wimbledon was something totally different. I just had a whole new attitude. It was like I was going there to win and I knew I was going to take it home. And then I did. But this two weeks, I've been a little shaky because I've been working hard but things haven't always gone the right way. But I played the big points.

Q. Can you talk about your emotions from a year ago and how you came back from that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I guess, as far as tennis, I'm a different person, just making it happen basically. Last year at this time I was watching Serena in the stands, you know, cheering her on. Whenever she made some mistakes, say, "That's okay, Serena." She pulled through.

Q. You didn't look too happy when she won.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Of course I wasn't happy. I played horribly. I mean, come on, if you had lost a match like that, you hadn't given it your best, you hadn't stepped up, do you think you would feel -- I still haven't gotten over that loss. Ever since then, I've changed my attitude. But it's good that she won, and I would never wish the next person would win. Come on.

Q. Did you talk to Serena after this match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, a little bit.

Q. What did she say to you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, "The Brady Bunch" was on TV so we were watching it and talking about how much she loved it.

Q. Did she come back? You said she was in Florida yesterday.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.

Q. When did she?

VENUS WILLIAMS: This morning. She just walked in. She never called me and told me what time she was arriving.

Q. But you knew she was coming back?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. Well, she left me a note. She said, "I'll see you on Saturday holding up the check," something, I don't know. So I thought maybe she'd come back, but I wasn't sure.

Q. Were you disappointed that because of the rain, President Clinton left and wasn't able to see you play? Did you speak to him at all?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, we did. There was a whole interview, I guess, on CBS. We talked about a few things that were pressing in the nation.

Q. Like taxes?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Like taxes (laughter).

Q. What did you say about taxes?

VENUS WILLIAMS: How I was really unhappy about my tax bracket. He said, "You really worked hard." I said, "See, I did work hard and I want to keep this for me and my earnings. I'm a good citizen."

Q. Does that mean you're leaning toward Joe --?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't really know that much about the presidential race. I don't read the paper. I think that's the main problem. I don't watch TV. Sometimes I'm -- I don't know what's happening in the country.

Q. Do you vote?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

Q. Not registered?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't vote.

Q. Can you elaborate on why there aren't too many African Americans in the Top 100 or the Top 50, you're the only two?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, I would say there are more Czechoslovakians and Slovakians in the Top 100 than maybe black people. We just aren't playing that much. I'm only one person. I'm 20 years old. I can't tackle a problem of race. I'm doing my best. I'll do what I can.

Q. I just wanted you to give or elaborate on some factors why you think there aren't any. I know you're an individual person. I just would like to know if you have any idea on what the reason is.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Because we like basketball and football. We just haven't played tennis as of late. Now we're more visible, so it should be going - hopefully turning different ways.

Q. How young were you when you started?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Four. I was around tennis all my life, though. I started at four, but I'm sure I hit some balls before that.

Q. What does it feel like to finally have done what you always thought the two of you would do?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It honestly does not feel as like exciting as I thought it would, because you think that things will make you happy. But if you're unhappy already, it doesn't make a difference. When you're a tennis player - not for me - but a lot of times it's really a big part of my life. To be successful in the way that I am is really important. But I think you feel it more when you're unsuccessful, like last year when I wasn't very successful, than when you are. I'm really happy now, but I was really feeling it last year. It's great to win, but it was a -- there's a lot more things more important.

Q. Did you carry that feeling when you were down 4-1 in the first set, "I don't want to feel the same way I did last year"?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I felt like I wasn't taking my opportunities very well. I was just missing a little bit too much, maybe even hitting it a little too hard.

Q. Did you feel Lindsay was playing high level?

VENUS WILLIAMS: She was playing high level, but I think I was giving her exactly what she wanted. I sat down at 4-1 and I thought about it. I said, "I can't feed her like this. " I was just giving her the spoon, so I had to change it up.

Q. How much do you think you were tested by Martina and Lindsay, and what sort of accomplishment is it to beat 1 and 2 back-to-back, do you think?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I did it at Wimbledon, and I've done it here. I know I can do these things. Yesterday, I really didn't play well. Today, it's a totally different match. It's the finals, and I just was able to keep my game under control because yesterday I had a lot of errors, and today I was just able to keep myself under control.

Q. Lindsay said she felt her serve really let her down in this match. You were five out of eight on break opportunities. Do you feel like you really took advantage of that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Basically if you miss your first serve, you're going to be a little bit vulnerable. I like to see second serves coming. I like to see first serves coming, too, especially if they're not around 110. I don't really feel very intimidated. I just feel that did probably play a role into it because you're always feeling on the defensive, you're always hitting second serves. I was taking some pretty good strikes at some of them. You just got to play your best when you get to the Grand Slam finals, because these days, especially since the 1997 US Open final, no one's giving these finals away.

Q. Do you feel that you get the level of support from the fans here at The Open that you deserve?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think that when I play the lower-ranked players that it's very strange. But like yesterday, I just felt they applauded any point that was good. Today I just really didn't hear them. I don't really remember.

Q. Tauziat match, was that an example?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't remember.

Q. Are you looking forward to the Olympics?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I am. It's tough for the tennis players to go straight from here to the Olympics, but it's okay. I'm looking forward to it. It will be a good experience.

Q. What, other than tennis, will you be looking forward to?

VENUS WILLIAMS: To watching? From what I heard, you have to do a raffle with all the players. By that time I think I'm going to be a little bit tired because I've played a lot. I just am going to look forward to maybe seeing the city because I've never been able to do that before. I think for me that would be more interesting.

Q. The other day you spoke about going back to school. Can you clarify how much time you're going to take away from the tour versus going to school?

VENUS WILLIAMS: School starts in October. It's 11 weeks. So for 11 weeks I'm going to be grinding. I'll play one or two events during that time. It's the fall season. There aren't as many larger tournaments, so I feel like I can take the opportunity to do something a little different.

Q. How many classes?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Six.

Q. Can you discuss the dance that your father did at the end?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's not a dance really. I don't know why you all say it's a dance. He was just jumping.

Q. But he was looking to you to join him.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know.

Q. You wanted nothing to do with it.

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I really don't remember that.

Q. When you came back to Hamburg after your injury, at that time it was a tough time for you. Could you imagine you could win two Grand Slams in a row?

VENUS WILLIAMS: In my mind I felt like I could, but my game really wasn't there yet. I was really having a tough time keeping my balls in. All my balls were flying three or four feet behind the baseline. Even at Wimbledon, I was still having a little bit of a tough time keeping them in. But I got through it. Now I still feel that way sometimes, but it's better than missing short in the net. That's when you know you're really afraid.

Q. When you were down 4-1, in the past maybe would you have kind of said, "I have to hit more winners, be more aggressive"? It seems like this time you said, "I've got to stay calm, get a break back." Is it accurate to say that's how your approach differed?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's tough to say because now I think I'm a different competitor than what I was in the past because I was just competing. For me, it didn't matter if I was down 4-1. I was just competing. When I did that, I just managed to get that first set. It wasn't for me about the score; it was about the point and about playing well. I don't know. It's hard to explain. I was playing the game.

Q. When you talk about competing, do you mean on the defensive points when you were running side to side?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Sometimes I do have to get on the defense. I do like to dictate, but still all these two weeks, even last week when I was playing in the tournament before this, my balls are flying, and I can't keep them in. I feel like I have to keep myself under control. Today I didn't hit for corners really hard as much because I wasn't keeping them in. So I used my speed as an ally, I guess.

Q. At Wimbledon you were all excited about going to the gala in the dress you brought from Florida. What do you think you can do here to give yourself a special treat to celebrate this great win?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I've been eyeing this ring for a little while. It's a designer ring. They never go on sale. I believe I'll be able to get that.

Q. What store?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's at Saks Fifth Avenue in Florida. If it's not there, I'll get a nice piece of jewelry. Just one, though.

Q. You said you've always felt like you've been the best player. Will it affect you or bother you at all when you look at the ranking list and see third?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I've done my best, really I have. It seems like I can't move forward, but I know I will. I will move forward, it's just a matter of time. I haven't given myself a platform to do it.

Q. Does that mean it's your goal till the end of the year to reach the No. 1 spot?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I really won't play enough tournaments. I want to play tournaments. I think at this point I feel like -- see, I have a problem with getting bored. I'll start something and not finish. I went to school, and I have to go back and finish it because I have to finish things in my life.

Q. Does it mean that it's more important, the Grand Slam title than the No. 1 spot?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Grand Slam titles are great because everyone comes out and plays their best tennis. No one gives anything away. You have to stay concentrated because it's such a long period of time, two weeks. Being No. 1 is definitely one of my goals. I've never been there before, so I'm trying.

Q. Do you feel that your mental toughness is something you were born with or is it something you've developed over the years? If so, how do you approach it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it was something that I was born with, but I think I lost it for a while, then I had to get it back - or else. I had no choice, either stay a mediocre player or move forward. It wasn't easy, but I moved forward.

Q. What are your thoughts on raw talent versus training? You and your sister seem to have a lot of raw talent that your careers have been built on, whereas there are some other players that get high-profile coaches and don't break the Top 5. How important do you think raw talent is versus training?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, you know, I don't know because I think at times it's even harder for the people who have a lot of talent because they don't work as hard, and things come easy. Then the player who doesn't have as much talent, they're working hard, doing their best, then they get on top. The other player is kind of wavering along. Either way you've got to work hard because you've got to build the confidence in what you're doing so you can do it when you're playing in the match situation. Whether you have talent or no talent, you've still got to work hard.

Q. Pete Sampras points to his losing to Edberg here in the final when he had to turn his game around. When did you know that you had to get mentally tough?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I think maybe I was expecting people to give matches to me. Maybe that's what it was. It seemed like I would get to the point where I could take the match, but I didn't, and I would lose it. I think now I've just gotten to the point where I go out and take it, not just hope that someone will give it to me by making mistakes.

Q. You have two majors now. How many can you see yourself in the future getting?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I've never had a goal to have all the Grand Slam titles, more than anyone, more than Margaret Court. I've just had a goal to play good tennis as long as I can.

Q. When you came in and sat down, you looked at the trophy. When you look at the names on there, how do you feel when you know your name is going to be added?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Feels real nice because it's going to be right next to Serena.

Q. You now have the most Grand Slam titles in the Williams family. How does that feel?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I feel like we have three.

Q. How important is the support from your family?

VENUS WILLIAMS: There was a lot of people this week - sometimes too many. I guess in America, everyone wants to come to The Open, everyone needs a ticket. It's been good. Everyone's trying to help us out.

Q. Who is your pick for tomorrow's match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. It's nice to see the young people win, seeing that I'm one of them. I don't know. I didn't even think about it.

2000 PILOT PEN

August 26, 2000

V. WILLIAMS/M. Seles

6-2, 6-4

Q. The way your confidence is right now, do you think Venus Williams is about the only one that can beat Venus Williams?

VENUS WILLIAMS: That is how it has always been in the past. I was defeating myself most of the times. Not to say that -- I would say four times in my career where the player just came out and there was nothing I could do, I was totally confused. But under normal circumstances, sure. But I think it is with any player, miss out an opportunity; person who makes the most mistakes usually is the one that loses. But I am getting through that. I am not doing that as much.

Q. Do you think it is the other way around now that players come out and face you and you confuse them with just your overall game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think most of time they come out, they are playing catchup. It is like even sometimes at times they can see me, but they can't like grab a hold of me and I kind of speed up again. That is kind of how I feel. Like today I felt like I was a little step ahead.

Q. How do you think you did today and why?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I did well. I think I played within myself. I didn't go for very much power today because my shots had been flying long all week.

Q. What made the difference today than the other days?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Definitely I was playing Monica which she is a caliber above a normal player and I know she wanted to win this match, not only going to the Open; to; win the title and because she has never defeated me before. There was a lot of good reasons to win this match. So I think I was more prepared mentally also.

Q. You said you weren't hitting as hard or far out?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

Q. You looked very fast both on feet and your returns; especially your backhand was better today than the past matches?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, she served very well. But, yeah, I was keeping the ball in; not going for as much and as far as a lot of power not today. I kind of just moved it around a little bit; just kept the ball in because they have been spraying.

Q. What is your regimen? We, the media, played against each other today and I thought I was out there for an hour and it was only 20 minutes and I had left. I am trying to figure out how are you able to withstand -- what kind of exercises do you do to keep yourself together like that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I am not a big exerciser. And I think, sure, you can get in great shape, but for me like it is all in the mind during the match. I don't have time to be tired. After the match, sure, lots of time and I figure that if I play a long point the person over there, they are just as tired as I am, so I just tough it out and it is not a problem for me. And I figure soon, hey, going to have a changeover; going to have another break.

Q. Four straight tournament titles; 19 straight matches. Have you had a streak like this before?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I think my longest streak before was like 11 matches and two tournament wins and -- yeah, but this is the most fantastic or consistent I have ever played besides like in practice.

Q. Are you surprising yourself at this run right now or is this something you felt you could do?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I always felt I could play like this, but it is a lot of work getting to this level, especially for someone like me, I have to keep myself under control.

Q. Do you feel you are playing well enough to win the Open?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I definitely think so. And a lot of times it isn't always about playing well enough. It is about which points you play well. And it is about how you feel in your mind, if you feel that you are better than the next person, and especially on that particular day, all the mental thing, so, as long as I am mentally there, and I am ready to be tough, sure, my chances are really great.

Q. Do you think the presence of Serena helped you today to lift your game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, she told me to focus, to make sure I focus because last week -- last not last week, but about three weeks ago I played her in San Diego and I won the first set 6-0 and I kind of let go a little bit, so I didn't want -- then even in the third set, I was up 4-1 and I kind of let her close in at 4-3. So today I didn't want to have to go through anything that wasn't necessary. Sure, if she was playing great and hitting unbelievable shots, but if I am just giving it away, then that is when it becomes a problem.

Q. But Serena's presence, did that lift your game at all?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know.

Q. Did that inspire you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, because I want to set a good example. Actually, yeah, because like she is a tough player and I want her to know that I am playing good tennis.

Q. How is Serena? How is her foot?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I don't think she has been hitting in the past week. I think today she is going to hit some balls, so I don't know. Hopefully it will be good enough that we can play doubles also.

Q. Yesterday we talked about after tennis is over you wouldn't have anything to do -- do you really think that is possible when you are as competitive as you are?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I am pretty competitive, sure, but not like Jimmy Connors or John McEnroe, I am not like that.

Q. The only time you might get in trouble, fourth game, second set you doublefaulted about three times. Mental thing or --

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it is just a technique on my serve basically I am kind of hitting down and across instead of up and out, so my mind, before I hit my second serve, it is like I want to see it clearly how I am going to hit it before I go for it. That is all it is.

Q. You mentioned that there is four players that would confuse you in the past. Who are they?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I said there has been four players -- not four players, but about four times where I have just been beat outright, where I didn't have a chance that day.

Q. You were sidelined for quite a while with the tendinitis problem. During that time did you ever imagine that you would come back so strong? Did you think it would take you a while to find your groove then?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I felt like I was going to win the French Open, but got into a tough match against Sanchez and I just wasn't consistent enough at that point. I wasn't really able to play my game. Actually the main problem I think I wasn't able to serve like I would have under normal circumstances, but yeah, I did feel like I would come out and play well because my mind was really clear.

Q. Did that kind of serve as an opportunity to kind of get away and refresh yourself?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I felt refreshed, but I think in the end it was maybe a good thing because I had time to think about my game instead of just entering the Australian Open and getting into the rat race all over again, so I felt like I had time to think things over and had to figure out why things weren't going right for me.

Q. You talk about the mental part of your game. Do you feel that you are in a zone right now mentally? Do you feel like you are just there at the top of your game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I just feel like mentally I am really prepared to play everyone and most of all, I like to play those 30-All points, 3-All or 30-40, 40-30, things like that. I feel like I am to ready for the big points and I have the extra advantage.

Q. Do you think you wore her down there especially on that point where she shot the ball down-the-line and you kind of outstretched and hit the winner?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think that sometimes I was hitting some great shots or having some great gets, and that can be discouraging at times. Be like, wow, hey, I am doing my best; I am not doing anything wrong today; is just not my day; maybe that is what she was thinking.

Q. What does the Open mean to you and what would it means to win it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: My first Grand Slam that I got to the Finals, my first -- my best appearance before Wimbledon. So it is a nice tournament, only Slam in the States; nice to win at home.

Q. You said that against Arantxa it was your serve and then all week you have been working on the serve and it has been getting progressively better; yet some of the biggest serves today were the slowest; it was all location. How big was that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: These days I am not going always for a lot of power. When you go for a lot of power you really have to focus because you will slam it in the net instead of, you know, getting it over, so, really making the girl take a few steps is more important than maybe hitting the ball -- of course a lot of times I do try to hit the ball right at the person because it kind of throws you off, but if you can get them to move a couple of steps, they are off balance; that is probably more important than all types of power because it is just in there and in their zone --

Q. How important a role does your height play in your game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It is an advantage especially the fact that I move very well and that I can bend very low, but, say, if I was slow and not very flexible then it probably would be a disadvantage. And also my reach like at the net, I feel these days, confident that if I come in - I don't come in that often - but if I do, most likely I am going to win the point because of my reach.

Q. When you made that running forehand winner in the third set, did you kind of recognize that was pretty special? Can you sense that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, that doesn't happen very often. It doesn't happen very often. I was just going for broke. I had no other opportunities except for that shot and it happened. At first I thought it was going to go in the net, but it just kept going over.

Q. Do you think you'd get to the ball? She is up there ready to, you know, put it a away?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It was all very surprising (Laughs) because a lot of times there is players who are always scrambling like that and maybe always hitting shots, but I am usually on the offense and I am not usually running, dead run with no opportunity, so for me that was really great because I don't always do that and so it was definitely a shot that doesn't happen very much.

Q. Is that part of that mental toughness you were talking about because probably most other players wouldn't have even gotten to the ball?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I just-- I was in the corner, she had a great opportunity, hit a winner, so just took off and it is really not like me to run out of a corner; I usually watch both sides, but this time the court was so open that I had to get over there and surprised I didn't over run it because I got their pretty fast.

Q. You were moving though that corner before she hit the ball?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, because I was so out of position I was almost in the alley; that if she would have hit it back to me that would have been not the smartest shot.

Q. You said out on the court hopefully will be back if all things go right. I mean, are you thinking of your tennis future in the short-term now or still looking to play as long as you can and then decide later?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You never know what is going to happen. Like I didn't foresee that I was going to be out for the first part of the year. I would have never guessed that this time last year, and you never know what is going to happen. So under all the right circumstances, I will be back. Things don't go right, hopefully I will still be alive and happy and healthy.

Q. You talked about last year taking the Australian off rather than jumping back in the -- any decision to hold the Australian trip, the Olympics that (inaudible)--

VENUS WILLIAMS: IT is tough for the players, but for me it would be a good strategic move as far as playing the Australian Open because I don't have any points coming off. I will be just ready to rack up points, so it would actually move me closer to the No. 1 spot. Because now I am trying hard as I can, but in the last three weeks I haven't been able to gain any points and won here last year and San Diego and Stanford I had final appearances last year, so I have only been able to gain about maybe 300 points after all these wins, so I am trying hard. Next week actually will be a big opportunity for me to capitalize so I got to focus in.

Q. How bad do you want to be No. 1?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I want to get there, but most of all like right now I want to prepare myself to be No. 1 because -- I have never been there. From what I heard, it is tough to stay on top once you get there, so I started thinking that my preparation is coming now by learning to play consistently day in and day out so, when I get there, it will be a good time because I think it will happen. But not this year, that will be tough unless like the girls ahead of me lose a lot and I am not going to play very much in the fall.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Thank you.

2000 U.S. Open

September 8.

V. WILLIAMS/M. Hingis

4-6, 6-3, 7-5

Q. What did you think was the turning point in the match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I was really making quite a few errors, especially off her service game, until -- well, all the whole match, actually. My balls, it seemed, kept flying long, so I had to tame my shots. I just kept fighting and kept staying in there. Eventually things worked out.

Q. You seemed to have really worked on your net game. That helped you today. Can you talk about how you tried to improve that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, really, Serena and I, we have three Grand Slam titles in doubles, and we have two in mixed. Pretty good volleyer. I just never got to the net that often. And when I did, I missed my shots. I think today I missed only one volley, and all my swinging volleys were perfect, mostly winners, I guess, except for maybe one. And I felt that whenever I moved forward, I had a better opportunity, and it was working out.

Q. When you were down 5-3, what was your mindset at that point?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. It went very fast after that. I just kept slugging, fighting away. Just had to cut back my unforced errors. I think a few times I moved forward at the right times, and I managed to convert.

Q. Was there a point where you said, "I've got to dig in right now"? You knew the match was on the line.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, actually, yeah, at 5-4, I thought, "Well, I waited till the last minute to break, this is the last opportunity." I was thinking that.

Q. People really like watching you two play. How much do you enjoy playing her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, it's a great time. I think the only time that I don't have a good time is when I'm making those errors. But as long as I keep myself under control, it's pretty successful, actually.

Q. You mouthed the words saying, "Unbelievable," what was so unbelievable?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Just the fact that I really was not playing well today and I was down 5-3. It really just seemed like all of a sudden the match was over. That was pretty unbelievable.

Q. How much of a difference was your will to win? Even when you're not playing well, Martina could not close it out, but your will seemed to carry you through.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah. I've got a pretty big heart these days. I really didn't want to lose. I felt that I should have an opportunity. This is my opportunity, I should take it, and that it wasn't over, even though it was 5-3. It was only one break. There weren't too many breaks of serve in this match. But I felt like, "This is my opportunity, I deserve to be in the finals, and I just need to go ahead and get it done."

Q. Is that the biggest difference, do you think, in the way you play, especially during this winning streak, that determination and finding a way?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess so. I've been around a little bit. I know a few more things, and I'm just trying my best to take my opportunities. Because when you don't, they're gone, and the next person goes on.

Q. What are your thoughts on playing Lindsay tomorrow? Is there any thought of tonight you have the chance to avenge Serena's loss?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, the only thing I felt about Serena's loss, I felt she -- she didn't play well actually in any way, shape or form. And I felt bad that like she had to learn a lesson like that. I feel that like it should have been me, that I should have lost like that, so she could have taken the example from me and not have to suffer in such a manner. Usually that's how it goes. So I felt really bad about that. I felt like I wish I could have taken the loss for her.

Q. But seeing how Lindsay played against her, the strategy she used, she said she's going to try to do something similar to that tomorrow against you. Can you look at that and say, "Now I know what I have to go against her"?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think Lindsay played well, but I think most of all, Serena played badly. She wouldn't make any shots. She was hitting across the ball." Serena, what are you doing today?"

Q. Where was Serena today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: In Florida.

Q. She's already gone home?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Her and her dog have left.

Q. When did she leave?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yesterday.

Q. Did you see your father leave?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Sometimes. He was in and out. I didn't see him at all times.

Q. After that dropshot?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Which one? The one I made or the one I missed?

Q. The one you missed.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah (laughter). That was some shot, huh? In the heat of the moment. I have a pretty good dropshot these days actually, so it worked out.

Q. You don't get at all disconcerted to see him get up and walk out in the middle of a game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, because I don't rely on my parents. Usually I have it all figured out, what I'm going to do. And, sure, sometimes if you're playing bad, they'll say, "Come on, let's go, get it done, you can do it," things like that. That's okay. But as far as strategy, I've got it all figured out. I don't really need too much to look at the box.

Q. You seemed to look at the friends box often in the match. What's the chemistry?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I didn't hear you.

Q. You seem to look at the friends box, your supporters, during the match. What is the chemistry that is happening when you look up at them?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, like today, I wasn't playing well, so I kept looking to them to say, "Come on, you can do it," things like that. But like in my other matches, usually I don't look at the box too much. But today I really felt like I needed more motivation because I just kept making these unforced errors. I felt that, sure, she was going to beat me, that would be fine, but just to make it so easy for her was unacceptable.

Q. It doesn't faze you when your dad's not there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the strategy you used today as opposed to '97 when you first played Martina?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, boy, '97, I was just a yearling. I have no regrets in '97 because I just -- I didn't know what I was doing basically.

Q. But your game is much better and smarter now, you feel?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah, definitely much better. My serve is better. Maybe my thought process also is much better, to say the most important thing as far as the difference. You know, Martina, she played well. She took advantage of me because I didn't know what was going on.

Q. Forget about the rankings. Tomorrow, if you beat Lindsay, do you feel like having a Wimbledon under your belt, this tremendous streak of wins, that you would be the No. 1 player for the year?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I'm still No. 3. But in my heart, I don't feel like I'm walking out there and playing against a player that is better than me. If I felt that way, I don't feel I'd be able to succeed.

Q. Obviously Lindsay is a much different opponent than Martina. How will your approach differ against her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I just think that I'll play my game, do my best, and usually that doesn't go wrong. Today I didn't play so well. But I did do my best. Well, maybe I didn't, but I tried hard.

Q. You said you didn't feel like you played with passion in the first set. What did you mean?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I felt like -- I wasn't even grunting. I usually grunt. Even in practice I'm grunting. I was like missing too many shots into the rallies. I felt like I wasn't giving it my all. My feet weren't moving, I didn't want to move to shots. That was not me.

Q. What will you do tomorrow to prevent that from happening again?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't think it's going to happen again tomorrow. I think maybe I just didn't want to hit a lot of shots today. But I think also there were a lot less shots than, for example, Wimbledon, or even last year in the semifinals, because I came to the net a lot more, I took a lot more balls out of the air.

Q. Lindsay once said that Martina's problem is she can't dictate points against you and your sister. What is this about dictating points?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Against other players I believe she's dictating the points more, hitting them on the run, they're hitting them back to her.

Q. What is dictating the points?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It means the next person is on the defense and you're choosing what happens in the point. I think that her game is not made for that as far as when she's playing against someone like me or Serena or Lindsay. She's playing against other players, yeah. But I guess she would have to practice more of a power game. Maybe that's just not her. Everybody has to use what they have. I think she uses that well.

Q. What has been the biggest turnaround in your rivalry with Lindsay? What do have to do to continue to win against her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I stopped. I didn't like losing that way. It was just too much. I felt if I lost one more match like that I'd have to retire, really.

Q. What is a cooler name, Venus or Tiger?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Whatever you think. I love my name. What do you mean? I'm not a tiger. If I was a girl, my name was Tiger, I think it would be strange.

Q. Your streak is carrying you. Lindsay is playing some of the best tennis she's played. She's fully healthy. Will this raise the stakes as opposed to last time you met, a higher-level match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I hope so. At Wimbledon, it was a nice match. I guess it wasn't one of our best matches. I think two weeks later at Stanford, it was a little bit more maybe competitive, although it was an easier score line. But I think tomorrow I'll play well. This is the final of a Grand Slam. Everything's at stake. I'm not going to give anything away, the best I can.

Q. Did you feel when you started grunting, everything would be all right?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I felt if I started grunting, I think my effort level would be a lot higher.

Q. What about the Olympics? Are you guys still planning on playing doubles?

VENUS WILLIAMS: We hope to. I love playing doubles. I like having a Grand Slam in doubles. It's nice to see them add up.

Q. Is she still going to come to the Olympics with you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. That's the plan. I haven't seen anything in the papers that says she wasn't.

Q. With Martina and Lindsay over the last day talking about how they were teaming up against you guys, did you see that as fun or "Bring it on"?

VENUS WILLIAMS: These days it's like WWF Wrestling.

Q. Martina said in her press conference she feels she took a lot out of you physically. That inadvertently may help Lindsay tomorrow. Would you agree with that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't agree because for me it's no excuse to say, "I was tired, that's why I lost." If you're an athlete, you have to get out there and you have to be ready. Whether or not I'm tired has nothing to do with whether I win or lose. I don't have time to be tired during the match. After the match, sure, I can go lay down and sleep. Tomorrow, will be no excuse. I'm not going to be tired. In my mind, I'm fresh, I haven't even played a match.

Q. How tired are you right now?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm not tired. I'm young. I shouldn't be tired.

Q. Given the quality and the closeness of the last 10 or 11 matches between Martina, do you think you versus Martina is the best rivalry in tennis?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I'm just taking a day at a time.

Q. Which one can be better than you two?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, we've played the most, for sure, a lot of three-set matches.

Q. I'm talking about quality, interest in the public. What could be better than when the two of you play?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know.

Q. When you compare the dynamics, you just compared it to the WWF.

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, tag team. What do they call it?

Q. Tag team.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Tag team.

Q. How much of it really at the bottom line is hype, just people whipping up a frenzy, and how much is actually felt by you guys?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. Because like, once again, I've been put in the middle of something. I really don't have any concern or thought about it. Everyone these days is out for themselves, no matter what it is. So as far as alliance, I'm not even involved.

Q. When you were playing badly today, all the unforced errors, did you think, "Oh, my God, it's the '99 semifinal revisited"?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm tired of giving opportunities away. It all started at Wimbledon where I just stopped giving things away. Today it was the same way. I didn't play my best, but at the right times I think I moved forward, took some chances and did my best. Anything can happen, and today I was winning.

Q. You had a six-month hiatus from the Tour. You came back and barely lost since. Do you think that was as much of a mental rejuvenation as a physical one?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think maybe I had more time to think about the game, just to simplify it in my mind. But who's to say what would have happened.

Q. Did it make you want to be out there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. Yeah, I was ready to play. I missed the countries, like visiting different places.

Q. Early in the year, you were being told by your dad, everybody was talking about you retiring. Here you are in the US Open final. What happened? I thought you were done.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess school wasn't that important.

Q. Speaking of school, I think they said there were 4,000 people who bought your dolls. Do you consider making some dresses that typify school so that some of the young children that bought your dolls will not just look at them as a tennis player, but think about education, too, because you think about education?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I guess maybe I'm known as much as a school girl as a tennis player, get away from school. But I don't know. Right now, I guess the tennis dresses are what needs to be done. Later on hopefully maybe there will be other outfits.

Q. Are you thinking about not going back to school this fall, playing more tennis?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I want to play more.

Q. You don't?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I do.

Q. You do?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes.

Q. So you're not going to maybe go back to classes?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm going to go back, because I have to. I can't not go back because I started and I have to get finished. After this term, I'll be halfway done. Two more terms, it will be finished and I can play in the fall again. I could pick one or two destinations that I want to go to and play. But I think I have a good start now. Next year I won't have points coming off, just start strong then, and just get my degree.

Q. Have you seen the Arthur Ashe statue?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I saw a picture in the paper, but it wasn't a very good one.

Q. 25-match winning streak. Do you remember how it feels to lose now?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I know how it feels to be close to losing (laughter). That's a foreign feeling right now, and not a very accepted one for me. If it can continue this way forever, that would be unbelievable. Sure, I like this.

Q. Are you going to win tomorrow?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Let's hope for the best, expect the worst. I think it's a good chance.

Q. Given the off-court conversations and the talk about tag team, would it be sweeter for you to have beaten Hingis and Davenport on the way to thing?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I did that at Wimbledon. That's nice to beat the top seeds. Helps my ranking. I won a Grand Slam in great fashion. Sure, it would be nice.

Q. (Inaudible) personally, though?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't hold any grudges. I'm just competing out here, and that's all.

September 9, 2000

V. WILLIAMS/L. Davenport