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Q. Right from the start, didn't look like you were quite yourself today. Is everything okay?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, definitely didn't feel myself today, you know, going into the match.

It was fine.



Q. You have been struggling with your back in practice?
SERENA WILLIAMS: And how do you know that?



Q. That's my job to know that.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's okay, you know. It wasn't the best, but, you know, it was all Ana today. I thought she played really well.



Q. What went bad today? What happened?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I made a tremendous amount of errors, shots I missed I normally don't miss. I haven't missed since the '80s. I'm just not used to missing those shots.

She made some good shots, and I just made way, way, a lot of unforced errors.



Q. Are you angry to lose?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm always disappointed when I lose, but it's always a good thing. I plan on getting better. I think it's almost good that I lost today because now I know what to work on I know what to do when I get on the practice court.



Q. Normally you hit a shot and you go forward. Today you were hitting a shot and you were going back. Do you have a problem on the back?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Like I said, I was just trying to do the best I could today. Maybe I wasn't the best physically, but that had nothing to do with it.

I think Ana just played a really good match. She did what it takes to win.



Q. Seems every year in Australia you have something.
SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, maybe, maybe not. I have won this tournament five times, so it doesn't I don't think that necessarily means that I have something. I think I have done pretty well here. You know, in general, over the history.

I feel like I'll win it again. Maybe just obviously not this year, but maybe next year.



Q. Ana drew a lot of support from the crowd. Did you feel the crowd was against you at all throughout the match?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I just felt like the crowd often goes for the underdog sometimes. And she was playing well, and she was hitting a lot of winners.

I don't think the crowd was against me. I think they wanted Ana to play well.



Q. Were you taken by surprise by her performance and how much she's improved perhaps in the last 12 months?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I have been watching her play a lot. I think I have seen her perform well. She hit a lot of great shots today. I wasn't surprised at all, no.



Q. What is the issue with your back specifically?
SERENA WILLIAMS: To be honest, I don't know. Like I said, actually, I have no idea.



Q. How long has it been troubling you?
SERENA WILLIAMS: A few days. A few days. But it is what it is. I mean, it's not anything that's life threatening or anything. You know, I feel like it will get better. I just need a couple days off.

Unfortunately I don't have that in a Grand Slam. It will be okay, though.



Q. Patrick said that you blocked your back and then you blocked your neck.
SERENA WILLIAMS: So he's the one that's snitching? (Laughter.)



Q. No comment. And that you just couldn't move and hit the way you usually do. Can you just tell us what was really happening out there with your body?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I guess secret is out, but I obviously wasn't hitting the way I normally would hit and wasn't moving the way I normally would move and making a lot of errors that I normally would not make and I haven't made in a couple of years.

But it's okay. You know, I feel like I know for a fact I can play so much better than what I did today, so with that, knowing that, I'm not disappointed or anything. I just know that I can play ten times better than what I did today.



Q. When you did retire from doubles, you were feeling worse or better than Venus? Which one of you was more injured?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. That's a tough one (smiling).



Q. Patrick said before the Hantuchova match you were feeling worse and you were even thinking about pulling out possibly. How did you cope with the pain over the last few days and how it's gotten better or not better since that moment?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, yeah, I almost pulled out. I'm such a competitor. I mean, I probably should have. Like I said, again, I don't want to blame anything. I feel like Ana deserves all the credit. I feel she played unbelievable today. I think she went for her shots.

It's not like I gave her the match. I tried to fight the best I could today. But, yeah, I didn't almost didn't play. But, hey, I did, and at least I feel good that I tried the best that I could on this day.



Q. You were almost on fire while the heat was on past couple weeks up in Brisbane and down here. Did the sudden change from really hot to really cold, maybe slower balls, stiffer muscles, do you feel the drastic change in weather affected you?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It was really hot in Brisbane and then it was a little cold first few days here and then it was hot again.

I feel like the warmer weather actually works better for me. I play good in the warm weather. I don't think it was a problem.



Q. What kind of treatment have you taken on the back the last few days? Also, just the offseason, you had a different kind of offseason this year. Do you think that contributed in any way to what's going on?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I have just been on some the strongest meds I can take, that are legal, which my body didn't handle it well because I haven't been taking anything. So I was like really kind of out of it for a few days.

But, no, I think my offseason was really good. And even though I didn't play well today, I wasn't tired at all. So I was super fit.

But like I said, I feel very encouraged to go home, and pain or no pain, just to start working even harder. Every time I lose I feel like I get better, and I'm going to definitely go home and do a tremendous amount better.



Q. It's been three years now. Last three years you've had injuries: the two ankles and now the back. When you're here, do you wait for the injury shoe to drop?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No. Like I said, I don't feel like I feel that because I have won this tournament five times. So, I mean, it is what it is.

At the end of the day it's not the end of the world, and I keep stressing that I feel like Ana played really well. I think she played a really good match.

You know, I don't want to sit here and make an excuse when she played such a great match.



Q. When you have something like you have, being a tennis player and being existing all these rules against doping, are you afraid to take the pill that help you to get better sooner? You have to check everything? Is that a worry that the player has?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, no, I definitely don't like to take obviously I check. I always make sure with the doctors what I can take. Everything is clear and everything is good to take.

You know, I just always check and make sure I'm not doing anything bad, because the last thing I need is that in my life.



Q. With Serena Williams the bar is set so high. greatest player in the universe. Can she catch Crissy and Martina? But in your own mind, when you fall short at a slam like here or Wimbledon, what goes through your mind? What is your disappointment.
SERENA WILLIAMS: I always feel like I can do better and how I can improve. You know, as I fell at Wimbledon, I was able to get myself back up. Like I said, sometimes it's good when I lose because it takes my head out of the clouds. Not that they are ever there, so to speak. I just work as if I'm ranked 1000 in the world.



Q. Some people have been talking about you winning all four slams this year.
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I won't (Laughter.)



Q. Is it disappointing that can't happen now?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I have given up on that a long time ago. I feel like I don't even think about winning four in a row. Maybe I can win four in a row, but it seems like in the one year it's kind of difficult for me for whatever reason.



Q. Possibility of playing Fed Cup?
SERENA WILLIAMS: When is Fed Cup? Yeah, it's around the corner. I'm taking everything a day at a time. We'll see. We'll try.



Q. You paid credit to Ana today. Do you think she can win here?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I think if she played like she did today she'll have a good chance to do well. You never know. People are playing really tough. Everyone in this competition is really hard and everyone is playing really tough, namely against me.

So, you know, you have to be able to be ready to play every match. I think she can do extremely well, and I hope she does well.



Q. Do you see Li Na strong favorite versus Pennetta?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Li Na/Pennetta? I think Li Na is always a favorite, but I don't think anyone, as we can see, can underestimate Pennetta, because she was in the semifinals of US Open just recently and she's obviously backed that up with the minimum of a quarterfinal here.



Q. What are your plans now?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm going to go home and see my son. His name is Chip. So we're going to spend some time together. I miss him.

In the new issue of Fitness magazine, Serena Williams talks about how her health scare changed her attitude towards tennis. (Jeff Olson/Fitness Magazine)

Serena Williams graces the cover of this month’s issue of Fitness, in which she discusses her split personality and body image issues, and talks about hopefully adding to her Olympic pin collection in 2016. Hard-core tennis fans won’t learn anything particularly new from the interview, but it’s always great to see Serena get an opportunity to tell her story to a broader audience.

Here are some excerpts from the cover story:

On her Jekyl and Hyde personas on and off court: “I think of myself as two different people. There’s the Serena Williams that everyone knows: She’s crazy. She can’t make a mistake. And she’s angry and just not nice, to be honest. I’m only that person for three hours a day, when I’m on the court. The rest of the time I’m just Serena. I’m the class clown.”


In her interview, Serena says when she's not on the court, she's "the class clown." (Jeff Olson/Fitness Magazine)

On the start of her comeback after injury and illness in 2011: “I’d never been in a match thinking, I’m not going to win, but there I was at Wimbledon in 2011, where I had won the year before, and I knew I wasn’t going to win once I started playing. I couldn’t breathe. I remember seeing stars, and I thought I was going to faint.”

On her struggle to stay fit: “I love Southern food. I don’t try to eat healthy when I’m in South Carolina for the Family Circle Cup tournament. I eat shrimp and grits with butter on top, fried chicken, and, oh, do I eat the fried hush puppies! And the banana pudding — mmm, mmm, mmm! I let myself go that whole week and then another week after that.”

On trying to stay on track: “I can’t take cheat days too often because my cheat days are usually cheat months! But diet is a bad word. I always say it’s a lifestyle change, because if you call it that, you won’t want those fried hush puppies. Clearly I haven’t completed my lifestyle change! But I’m trying, I’m really trying.

On grappling with her body image issues: “Unless I’m eating really healthy, I feel that way almost every other week. I feel as if I can do better and be smaller, which I think is just a natural thing for women to feel. We’re taught that we have to look a certain way…. I learned to be proud of my curves and to embrace my large boobs and my butt. It’s all about loving who you are and realizing that you’re beautiful.”

Q. How did you feel on the court today? What didn't work?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I don't think anything worked for me today, which is just nothing really worked. I don't know anything that actually worked.

Q. Was there anything bothering you physically at all? Because I think I heard you say at some point you can't serve?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I was just I just can't serve (smiling). I mean, my serve hasn't been good yet. I can't say this whole tournament, because my tournament didn't last long, but yeah, just in general.

Q. Do you have any understanding of why things weren't working, or do you have to go back and reflect? Just one of those days?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It was one of those days. You know, you can't be on every day, and, gosh, I hate to be off during a Grand Slam. It happens, you know. It's not the end of the world. It is what it is.

Q. You had beaten Garbine easily in Australia, but you said that she had future.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, she plays really well, obviously. I have actually never seen her play like this. So, you know, we'll see if she hopefully she can keep it up, keep her form up and continue to play like this.

Q. How much was the potential meeting with Venus on your mind either before...
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, it wasn't. It wasn't really on my mind.

Q. Were you aware of what Venus was, what was happening with Venus on center court until what point?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, I'm just walking out when she was late in the third, so yeah, that's it.

Q. Can you maybe explain in a few words how tough is it for you to lose here in Paris where you have built a special relationship to the crowd, to the city?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it's not easy. I love it here, but there's always next year. At least I won't have any points to defend next year, so I look forward to it.

Q. You said your serve hadn't been working here. Did you feel this coming, though? Did you sense that not everything was sort of in place coming into this match?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. Honestly, I just felt like you know, I finally started practicing better, but, you know, maybe it was a little bit too late.
Honestly, I think Garbine played really well and she played really smart. I didn't adapt. It was what it was.

Q. Did things just sort of fall apart when you got to Paris? Because obviously Rome you weren't at your complete best but you did win the title there.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, maybe. I don't know.
I don't know exactly. I just again, I think she played really well and she played really smart. You know, it's great, because I'm going to go home and work five times as hard to make sure I never lose again.

Q. The conditions were difficult? The wind, especially, that's a problem?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, they weren't difficult. Only I think in one game it got windy, but that's it.

Q. Are you angry with yourself or disappointed?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I'm really happy with myself. I feel great. (Smiling.)
I mean, yeah. Obviously I'm super disappointed and, you know, it's hard. I worked really hard. But, hey, maybe I can do better. I know for a fact I can work harder.
I know for a fact I can play so much better than what I did today, so, I mean, it's a double edged sword. I didn't play well, but I can play better.
If I couldn't play better I would be, I think, even more disappointed. But I know I can, so I know I have something to look forward to.

Q. There is no difference between today and Razzano, that day? Do you see any comparison?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm never wearing green in Paris again. Ever (smiling).

After it appeared that Serena Williams would participate in next week’s Swedish Open in Bastad, the top seed and world No. 1 now looks highly doubtful for the event according to a variety of sources. Williams has been out of action since withdrawing from a Wimbledon doubles match with a “viral illness.” Prior to that, she had lost a third round match to Alize Cornet, which added to her string of poor showings over the past couple of months.
In a statement to ESPN.co.uk, Williams said:
“I decided not to play in Bastad, because I am still not feeling 100%. I want to be in perfect condition to go back on court, but unfortunately it’s not the case. I really hope to be able to get back to training from next week.
“I want to thank all my fans and the event organisers, for their support and comprehension. Bastad was my favourite tournament I played in last year, thus I am very disappointed not to come back there. But there is still next, year, so I can’t wait to go back there.”


The Swedish Open takes place between July 14-21 in Bastad, Sweden.

Q. Was it easier than you thought?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, not at all. I think it was an interesting match. I thought she played really well. She started out super strong. She did a good job.

Q. It was getting tight in the first game. Did it throw you off a little bit?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, it didn't throw me off. I just was getting, you know, first match, last match of the day, just getting myself in there.

Q. You watched Taylor play before, but playing against her, what are your impressions of her?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think Taylor is a really great player. I believe she does everything well. She's one of the few players that can come to the net and volley, as well as she has unbelievable hand speed with her racquet. She's really unbelievable.

Q. She shared you did a little texting with each other last time you were together, you talked about nails and hair.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, her nails are beautiful today. I loved it. Her hair is always great. Yeah, we're really close. I mean, like I said on the court, I really love her. She's such a great girl. It's good to see her doing so well.

Q. Will you remain close?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, of course. You know, I always support her. I'm a big fan of hers. I feel like she has such amazing potential, so it will be good.

Q. You talked about how it might be hard to be a mentor while you're competing. What makes it different with Taylor?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, Taylor is easy to talk to and she's so open and she's so honest and she's so raw. She's just easy. When people are like that, it's just so easy to talk to. And you want to help them 'cause you really want to see them do well.

Q. What are your thoughts on your next opponent, Vania King, the style of her game versus yours?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm not sure if I played her before, but I've always liked her game. She gets a lot of balls back. She likes to hit lots of rallies. She's another American. So it's a shame that Americans have to keep playing each other. But, hey, at least an American can go to the third round.

Q. How much harder on your body would it be over time if you had to play five sets?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I have never thought about that. I don't know. I really don't know. I can't answer that fairly I don't think.

Q. Do you think it's funny that the guys play five and women play three? Would you want it to be equal?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, it's definitely not funny. We actually offered to play five sets many times. They don't want the women to play five sets. They prefer we play three sets. We've given that offer many, many, many occasions, but it's not what the tournaments in general desire.

Q. Do you talk to the WTA or the tournaments themselves?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm on the Player Council for a hundred years. We've had this discussion. Yeah, we women are strong, ready, willing and able. All the players have agreed to it but it's not what they want right at this time.

Q. If you were in charge of the whole sport and could change any rule about play, enact a new rule, what one thing would you like to do?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I think I love tennis the way it is. I think it's a great game. As for changing the rules, yeah, I don't know. It would be something more technical. Nothing that I can think of in terms of tennis play.

Q. What is so special about playing here in New York as opposed to playing any of the other tournaments or slams?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, playing in New York is great because I'm American, it's the only Grand Slam in the USA, so it's always good. When you're young, you always dream of winning the Open. It's a good feeling.

Q. One of the things Taylor was saying, the great thing about playing against you is she would like to play till she's 30 years old. What does it take to stand the test of time?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I think you just have to have a real love for the sport. That's the only reason I'm still here. I enjoy my job. It's fabulous. I get to travel the world, get to do what I really love to do. I think that's what everyone ultimately dreams of.

Q. Could you expand on how you felt you played tonight.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I think my game was good for tonight. There's always a little nerves going into the first round, especially as a defending champion. So I feel like I served well. I served the way I wanted to serve. Hopefully I can just build from this. I think in the early rounds, if I can get through them this year in this Grand Slam, I just want to continue to build on that.

Q. Given the setbacks in the previous Grand Slams, have you changed your preparation at all?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I've decided I'm not going to overthink it. I think I've overthought every Grand Slam so far this year. It didn't really work out great for me. So worst-case scenario, I'm just going to stay positive and do the best I can. That's all I can do.

Q. Taylor told a story about being here seven years ago and watching you and your sister play. How does that make you feel? What does that say about your longevity?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, that's kind of awesome. When you're so young, you get to see people, then you play on the tour with them, you're competing at the same level as well as them, it's really just those, if anything, a desire for her to be 10 years old, and then all of a sudden to be one of the elite few that actually can make it in a Grand Slam. If anything, I think it speaks more to her.

Q. Would you like to see more tournaments come back to New York?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think there was always just this.

Q. Virginia Slims used to be here.

SERENA WILLIAMS: That's even before my time (smiling).

Q. How do you do it?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Do?

Q. Singles, doubles, setting the house on fire.

SERENA WILLIAMS: You just got to do it. I'm ready, fit and feeling good.

Q. You and Venus don't play doubles that often. Is it hard to find the rhythm initially?

SERENA WILLIAMS: It is hard sometimes to find the rhythm. But today I felt like we found the rhythm well. They played well. But I think in general we found it pretty good.

Q. In your singles match earlier, do you ever recall double-faulting three times in one game?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I have done that before. But it's not so often that it happens. I really had to adjust my toss today. It was just flying so far. I just should have stopped it instead of hitting it.

Q. There's been TV and whatnot debate about you playing the doubles as well as the singles in terms of saving yourself for the singles. Talk about why you do it. Pursuit of more titles?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, to be honest, doubles helps me in my singles game. If it comes to a point where I don't feel good, then I probably wouldn't play. But it really helps me make better returns, know what to do better. So that's why I've always actually played doubles.

Q. How great is it to play with your sister after all these years?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it feels good. We really enjoy playing, you know, together. We really embrace being role models. We think it's a great opportunity, and we almost feel honored and pleasured to have that label.

Q. Along those big-picture lines regarding your play, with everything you've accomplished, maybe this is a hard question to ask you, but do you feel you are as appreciated in this game for all these Grand Slam titles or is there a sense of being underappreciated to some degree?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I feel really appreciated. I can attest to that, you know. I mean, so much of the fact is if I lose, it's bigger news than if I win. That is a test to how much people believe in my game and my skill and how much they appreciate the sport and how good they think I am. So, yeah, I think it's great.

Q. In a sense, that's a compliment?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes, for sure.

Q. You've accomplished so much. Are you ever going to make a top with the leather?

SERENA WILLIAMS: We are actually making one. A couple seasons coming up.

Q. And the wigs, I really need a Tina Turner wig.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know about that one. I don't do that.

Q. You can do that.

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I don't.

Q. When you're playing doubles with your sister, it seems like it's a big bonding experience for you. What is more important to you when you're out there playing doubles, the bonding with your older sister or winning the match?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Uhm, it's a great experience for us because we get to play together and we get to, you know, be together. We just get to talk and spend some time together 'cause we don't get to spend as much time together as we want to because we're always doing our thing. But, yeah, it's good.

Q. How much do you enjoy playing on grandstand?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I love it. It's such a great atmosphere. Also playing on Louis Armstrong, it's such a wonderful atmosphere. The fans are amazing. We love playing there.

Q. It felt like the Olympics tonight.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, it did. It felt really good. We really enjoyed that.

Q. During the course of a Grand Slam tournament, how much, if at all, do you pay attention to other results, who is winning, who is losing?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, you always hear about who is winning, who is losing. You hear about upsets. But for me, especially lately, I have to worry about my first round, my second round, and my third round. I can't get too far ahead of myself.

Q. There have already been quite a few upsets with seeded players losing, 10 women in the second round. What do you make of that?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I was a casualty before, so I don't know. I can't make anything of it. At this point I'm trying to stay alive.

Q. Stosur and Ivanovic are out of your side. How do you feel about that?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I didn't know that actually. I know they had a wonderful summer, so that's surprising. But, you know, again, I promise you, I'm trying to make it through a few rounds in a Grand Slam this year. I'm really not too much concerned about the later seeds because I haven't made it there this year. So hopefully this year I can do something.

Q. Are you changing your practice regimen to make sure you make it further?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Actually, no, I'm not. I've been working really hard. The results just hadn't been coming in the slams. I started to get some really good results this summer, and that's given me a lot of confidence going into this last Grand Slam of the year.

Q. Do you have a Grand Slam number in mind for when it's all said and done?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I never even thought I would have as many as I even have. Who am I? I'm just an average person. I never thought this would be me. So for me it's incredible. I never really had a number. Obviously now that things are reachable, I do think of different things. But in the big picture, it's just all an amazing, amazing ride.

Q. If you get to 18, you're tied with Chris Evert. That's a significant number, significant name. What would that mean to you?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, like I said, I've had three tries to get to 18, and it hasn't happened, so... We'll see, you know. Hopefully I'll get there one day. I'm kind of stuck right now at 17, which to be honest is not a bad number to be stuck at. It's better than 16. I honestly am really proud of everything I've been able to accomplish in my career. I can't really be upset about anything.

Q. I asked Vika is it sweeter to win the big matches against top rivals. Do you feel it's sweeter when you're playing the best to get to that next slam?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I really don't know. A win is a win, as people say. Nowadays, everyone's playing tough. You have to be ready from the first to the last round.

Q. Venus is playing tomorrow on Ashe. What do you think about her play?

SERENA WILLIAMS: She's playing great. She's playing great. I think she'll do great. She's going to get some rest and she'll be fine.

Q. Speaking of toughness, how do you keep your mental focus?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. By the grace of God.

Q. You have a pretty high-profile fan, Gladys Knight. Are you friends with her?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, we're friends. I think she's such a great person. She's a person I admire. Yeah, so it's just really wonderful that I can call her a friend.

Q. Would you recommend younger women that are coming on to play doubles?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I don't know. For us and for me it works. But everyone's different. Everyone's different.

Q. It isn't often that you are out-aced in a match. Is it a question of her being left-handed?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think when someone is a lefty, they just open the court more. You're expecting one serve. You kind of almost give up one side. You just say, You can ace me on this side, but I'm going to expect that side. So, yeah.

Q. You practiced with her. Is this something you regret when you play them in a major tournament?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I love practicing with her. We always practice together in tournaments. Whenever I can, I love hitting with her. I think it helps her game and she helps my game. So it is what it is.

Q. Why so?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, as you can see, she gives 100% on the court. She always tries to do the best. She's great. She is an incredible fighter.

Q. There's a kind of open discussion with the men about the five sets in the Grand Slam. I would like to know your opinion about that. Do you feel as a woman a discrimination? Would you like to try a five-set match maybe?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I've said it before and I'll say it again: We don't mind playing five sets. We've offered to play five sets. The tournaments don't want us to play five sets. We're ready, willing, and able to play five sets.

Q. Why do you think they don't want it?

SERENA WILLIAMS: You would have to ask them that. I can't answer that question.

Q. You've been associated with Venus for so long. We almost take it for granted. Take a moment and say what's the best part of hanging out with Venus. When did she mean the most to you?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Wow. I think every day is a great part hanging out with her. Every day, you know, you learn something new about someone. I think that's what life is about, it's about learning something new every day. A partner for me that will be lifetime. She's just a great individual and incredibly powerful woman.

Q. What is something you have learned about Venus recently?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Just about her strength more than anything. Her positivity is second to none.

Q. How important was it to get to the second round? You used to take it for granted. But this year...

SERENA WILLIAMS: To get to?

Q. To the second week, sorry.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, I can't believe I'm in the second week. It's like a dream come true for me at this point (smiling).

Q. Why can't you believe it?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm being sarcastic (smiling).

Q. When you play with Venus after the tough loss she had yesterday, do you have to do anything extra to motivate her to be in the match, sister to sister?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. She was actually incredibly motivated herself. She wanted to do well. She played really well. Her motivation was great. It was really good to see.

Q. Out of curiosity, how many sets have you ever played in a day?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. Maximum probably would be six, right?

Q. Practice, anything.

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't play sets in practice ever, ever. Only match play.

Q. With the crazy schedule you've had in singles and doubles, is it even more important that the crowd get behind you?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, we love the crowd here. I mean, they're so supportive. Especially in doubles, they're just crazy. It's so awesome to feel and to see. It's such a wonderful feeling. Every year it makes me want to come back and do better.

Q. Was this one of those games where you had to fight to find your rhythm?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I definitely had to fight to find my rhythm. At the same time she was playing really well. She was going for shots, getting so many balls back. It wasn't like my shots, she just got them back and hit a better shot at times. For me, it was just about hanging in there.

Q. In the tournament we've seen on the women's side one upset after another. Less on the men's side. Why do you think there have been so many on the women's side?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I've been a casualty this whole year at Grand Slams. I'm just hoping to keep staying in there.

Q. Feels good to still be here?

SERENA WILLIAMS: So far. Key word.

Q. What do you and Venus do together to have fun while you're here?

SERENA WILLIAMS: While we're here, we're just focused on the tournament. We're practicing. We're not necessarily having fun. This is our job. We train really hard for it.

Q. Is there anything to read into you asking the ball boy to carry your bag?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, nothing to read into it. My bag is heavy. I have so many things in there that probably shouldn't be in there. I usually don't carry it, so... It's just so heavy. Plus I think he wanted to carry it (smiling).

Q. You talked about being all business here with Venus. What is the most fun things that you do with her when you're far away from tennis?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. We just do a lot of fun things. I think when you're away from tennis, you just have to, like -- we just like to sit around at the house because we're gone so much. When you travel so much, it's the best and most relaxing thing to just sit on the couch and not move.

Q. The DJ Nash that has been playing Katy Perry's Roar after your wins, is that to go with your outfit?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Incidentally, I love that song Roar. I listen to it all the time. I love Katy Perry. I think it's an inspiring song. I love the words to it. I think it's great.

Q. You hit more aces than anyone this year. Are there any shots that feel more pleasurable?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I love hitting aces. It's not easy, but it makes your life a lot easier. So I like it.

Q. You're into the fourth round, haven't dropped a set. What is the mentality or the mindset?

SERENA WILLIAMS: The same as the first round. You know, just treat every round as if it's your last. Do the best that I can. Just stay positive, you know, 'cause I want to continue to do the best I can.

Q. Have you been able to do that so far?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I've been positive. I got a little down on myself today. But lesson learned. Next round I'm just going to go in there and fight as hard as I can and leave everything on the court.

Q. Serena, do you have friends in New York?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes, absolutely. As long as it's not during the US Open. During the US Open, I kind of stay in my room and do nothing.

Q. You don't hang out?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, it's difficult. Especially me, I'm usually playing singles and doubles here so I don't really have time.

Q. Does the leopard print mean the cat suit might be making a comeback?

SERENA WILLIAMS: That's a good question. We all loved the cat suit. At least I did.

Q. Gives us hope.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Keep hope alive.

Q. Where is the cat suit?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I have all my outfits. I saw it the other day actually in my closet.

Q. How cool was it to walk out that night? Seemed like everyone was gasping, saying, What the heck?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Gosh, that was over a decade ago, right? I don't know. I was actually nervous because it hadn't been done before.

Q. Sounds like a hashtag campaign.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Right. Of course hashtags didn't exist back then.