THE tennisreporters.net NEWSLETTER: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23

The "Serena era"
Williams on her dominance, the cat suit, Johnny Mac who?, Venus' slump, her 'real self'

By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net

The following are excerpts of a press conference that No. 1 Serena Williams did from the Staples Center to promote the upcoming WTA Home Depot Championships in Los Angeles, Nov. 6-11. Here, Serena discusses her place in history, the history and future of her infamous Cat Suit, acting, Compton and John McEnroe.

Question: Some years ago, you were still living in nearby Compton, playing on neighborhood courts. Can you share a story about when you were growing up there?
Serena Williams: I remember when Venus and I played each other at the Great Western Forum, I was nine, she was 11 and we went on before Connors and McEnroe. So now whenever I'm around a Laker arena, I think of that. I was really excited.

Q: Is it somehow poetic justice that things have flip-flopped. At this year's U.S. Open, when McEnroe played Becker, he was your warm-up act before your final with Venus?
Serena: Who? [laughing].

Q: We've seen [Martina] Navratilova, [Monica] Seles and [Steffi] Graf dominate. Could you dominate like them?
Serena: To even be compared to them is an honor. Hopefully, it could be the "Serena era." That's scary.

Q: Is it kind of scary that you still have a long way to go in your game? You could still work on your volleys and … ?
Serena: Yeah, volleys and serves. I don't come to net nearly enough. That's scary. I have great volleys and have won five Grand Slam doubles titles. It's not scary for me; it's scary for other people.

Q: Monica Seles indicated that, mentally, you are now the toughest on tour. Do you agree?
Serena: Maybe. I never give up, stay focused and always believe I can win. Even when I lose and am shaking hands with somebody I find it hard to believe.

Q: Off-court, you love to laugh, smile and joke so much. But when you step on court, you're so fierce and serious. What a difference?
Serena: I'm the type of person who believes you should leave everything on court. I leave all my emotions in the match and then, when I step off, I'm done and I'm Serena again. That's why I try to be really tough out there and give everything so when I leave, I know I've given everything.

Q: On a scale of one to 10, where does 2002 rate?
Serena: A seven. I didn't come to the net. I didn't serve great all year.

Q: So then what's a nine or 10 for Serena?
Serena: Net play, more consistency and fewer losses.

Q: You've had such a breakthrough year. Is there one word that defines it?
Serena: Maturity. Having to let go.

Q: Does that feel good?
Serena: Yeah. I'm trying to enjoy the moment because you never know what can happen.

Q: At Wimbledon you noted that you and Venus "have grabbed tennis by the belly button ring and run off with it." Of course, we actually didn't realize tennis had a belly ring?
Serena: I meant that Venus has grabbed me at my belly button ring and we've run off. [Now] people are trying to get at us, clawing at us and trying to grab and pull us back.

Q: A couple of weeks ago, Venus confided that she was tired of the game and wasn't sure if tennis could provide her with enough motivation anymore. She said she maybe needed to pursue some off-court interests.
Serena: It's the fall blues. Everyone's played the Grand Slams, the pressure's off, but you have to keep proving yourself at the smaller tournaments and it's hard to get up for them. That's been the difference for me this year. I've been able to get up for them even when I didn't want to. Venus will come back strong.

Q: Venus was so joyful after her big wins early in her career. Now she appears far more withdrawn. Will you be able to sustain that infectious joy of yours?
Serena: Now, when I win tournaments, I'm not as excited as the first few times. I don't get really excited after a win. Now I get happy during points and get pumped up, but not as much as before. But I don't think my excitement will completely go away because it's part of my personality to pump my fist and scream.

Q: Who's the real Serena?
Serena: I'm really easy going and laid back, but I always have to have something to do. If I have time off, I'll rest for a week, but I always have to have something -- not necessarily tennis, but I have to keep moving. Different things -- acting, modeling, print ads -- I always keep my sketch book with me.

Q: Which Serena do you learn more from, the oncourt Serena or off-court Serena?
Serena: The oncourt because I'm more focused, serious and have a tenacity about me that makes me want to fight.

Q: Will the cat suit come back?
Serena: It might make a reappearance. It's in popular demand right now. People are calling me everyday and begging me to wear it.

Q: Were you surprised by the attention it got?
Serena: I was. I wasn't wearing it to get all that attention. It was Puma's design. I was really nervous wearing it the first night.

Q: What went through your mind opening night at the U.S. Open when you took off your black warm-up jacket and right away all those "oohs" and "aahs" rippled through the crowd?
Serena: I was supposed to practice in it, but I didn't because I procrastinated. I didn't know how it was going to feel, so I was really nervous.

Q: Did you know that Bill Simon, the Republican candidate for governor, has officially come out in support of the cat suit?
Serena: The cat suit has crossed all barriers, sports, political. I'm glad he supports it.

Q: What's the one quality that the public doesn't know about Serena Williams?
Serena: I think the public knows enough about me.

Q: But now you're almost a crossover star -- MTV, general-interest magazine covers, acting in sitcoms.
Serena: Definitely. I've never considered tennis to be my only outlet. I've always done different things because I like to.

Q: How's the acting going?
Serena: Really good. My acting coach is good.

Q: And what's the difference between tennis and acting coaches?
Serena: Acting coaches are more fun. They don't yell. They're easier.

Q: They don't scream "Hey, you didn't nail that line."
Serena: Yeah.

Q: Here's a Charles Barkley question: Are you a role mode?
Serena: Yes. I don't shy away from being a role model. A lot of kids follow Venus and I. We're in a sport where there aren't a lot of people of our color who have done so well and kids might look at us and say, "Hey, we can do it, too." I think I'm a role model for kids of all races and nationalities. It's cool.