TENNIS US OPEN – 3rd of September 2014. S. Williams d. F. Pennetta 6-3, 6-2. An interview with Serena Williams
Q. You seemed to be operating in the fullness of your gifts tonight. What was different about the match? You seemed extremely focused and powerful and everything we’re accustomed to from your game.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, tonight I was just trying to do what I have been working on in practice. She was playing really well and she was playing, you know, very aggressive. So I had to just step up my level of game, as well.
Q. After the slow start, how much did all the matches you played this year and the time you put in help you sort of get out of that sluggish beginning?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It definitely helped. I was thinking that, you know, I’m down two breaks? But I was — you know, I felt like it’s not the end of the world. You can just win one game at a time. That’s all I tried to do.
Q. Flavia says it was a match of great level. Do you agree with that? She thinks she plays well, too.
SERENA WILLIAMS: I think she played really well. I think every time I play her she gets better. This is definitely the best she’s played me. I really had to step up my game. You know, I really had to step up my game. That’s why I was down Love-3. She came out really strong and really hard. It was a very, very good game for her.
Q. How do you feel about playing Makarova? Talk a little bit about the lefty factor, the spins and stuff like that. Are you a little concerned about this match?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I have played two lefties already and I often practice with Varvara. She’s a lefty. I think that’s been good for me, so I’m ready for the lefty. I think it will be a good match. She’s beaten me before. I am obviously going to go in there and just try to do the best I can.
Q. How good l Serena Williams have been if she was left handed?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Gosh, I always ask my dad why wasn’t I a lefty? Even when I was younger I wanted to be lefty. I could have been really good. (Smiling.)
Q. How many slams?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don’t know. Who knows? I don’t know. But lefties are just so cool. I just love lefties. Maybe it’s just a hangup I have. We’ll never know.
Q. What do you remember most about the match you referenced when you lost to Makarova, and what are your thoughts about the specifics of playing her?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, Makarova moves well. She doesn’t care who she plays, she gives 100%. Those types of players are often difficult to play because it makes them better. Like I say, she moves well. She has that serve that can hit — that can go out wide or you never know where it’s going to go. She’s has a great backhand and she’s improved her forehand. It’s going to be interesting for me to do the best that I can, because, you know, she has a lot of momentum going into this match as well.
Q. You talk a lot about being more relaxed at this tournament and everything is kind of gravy. You don’t really need to win anymore, but how do you turn off the pressure?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it’s so easy now because it’s almost a joke for me because I have done little to no winning in the majors. And now I thought, Take it as a joke. Oh, my God, I’m past the fourth round. Woo. Like, Yeah, I was joking. I better play doubles just in case I don’t make it past the second round. At least I have a backup plan. I think that definitely has been able to help me to relax, as well. You know, and also realizing that I don’t have to win anymore. Everything now is just extra. So then that also helps, as well.
Q. Do you enjoy being high profile?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I understand Makarova, especially when I was coming back. It was like I was definitely more low profile. I called myself a dangerous floater. It’s fun almost because no one expects anything from you and you have no pressure and you can just play so well. But you have to be able to — if she continues to win, you know, she won’t be low profile. I think for more of a top player, she’s beaten so many top 10 players, she’s definitely not low profile for us. So once we step on that court we just know that she’s a player, you know, that you cannot take lightly.
Q. What are the one or two losses that you learned the most from in your career?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don’t know. I have to think about it. Definitely I learned a lot from one this year. I’m not ready to talk about it yet, but definitely learned a lot from that. But I don’t know. I learned a lot from — in 1998 I played Sanchez in the French Open, and I really believe I should have won that match. I was up, and, you know, I didn’t take a chance. That’s life in general. Sometimes you have to take chances.
