Post-Match Interview Snippets

Q. How far back do you think you've come to your very best level? Is it possible to assess that or not?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I think I'm ‑‑ you know, I'm doing more of the right things that I should be doing more. I feel like I have a little more variety in my game. I feel like I'm on the right track. I'm not there yet, and I feel like ‑‑ I've always said I feel like I've never reached my potential. I really want to get there.

Q. She (Jelena) said you looked nervous out there. Is that even possible considering you have been playing tennis your whole life?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know if I was nervous. I know I got tight. I guess you can classify that as nervous. Normally I just close it out. I just didn't make the right shots. Then really though sometimes the wind, it was windy, and I just made the wrong ‑‑ I made the mistakes at the wrong time. Whether it was nerves or not, it was me definitely technically not doing everything I did and I was supposed to do in practice.

Q. Does it surprise you to get tight, Serena? Is that something you don't expect from yourself?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No, I get tight often. My forearm gets a little locked up. I've gotten tight in a couple of matches, but I usually get over it and get through it.

Q. You get distracted?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yes.

Q. The fact that you still get tight in a match like this even after all your wins and all your experiences, is that a reflection of your desire level at this point?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I definitely think it's a reflection on my desire level. Especially now I feel like all I want to do is play tennis, and all I want to do is be the best and win. My whole life is dedicated to nothing but tennis. I've been working so hard, and I feel like everything will come together in time. Sometimes when it doesn't come together I get frustrated, but I feel like it's not going to be in vain. So I definitely think that the fact that I do get tight or get ‑‑ I did get tight, you know. I think everyone gets tight at some point. But the fact that I did today, I feel that it definitely ‑‑ you can definitely see my desire and my dedication.