Venus Williams: "...I just kind of let myself exit."

[MotherMarjorie]

Venus Williams Wimbledon Interview June 29th 2010

Q. Did you have an injury problem today?


VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I just didn’t get enough balls in today. I just, uhm, let it spiral and didn’t get any balls in. I mean, I had a lot of opportunities and a lot of short balls. I just seemed to hit each one out.

You know, obviously she’s played well to get this far, but I don’t think I did anything right today.

Q. This is a player who has now beaten you twice. What is about her and her game that does give you difficulty?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, I don’t even really remember anything from last time. I think, you know, one of her biggest strengths is she’s pretty quick around the court.
Q. You said you hadn’t done anything right today. You had breakpoints at 3?2. You started reasonably well.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean, I feel like this is the kind of match I could win. You know, I didn’t get enough balls in.

Q. You have your new book out and you have your clothing line. You’re at an age when a lot of players start to walk away. Do you find the same motivation to want to win and compete? Is it harder to find that with your life moving on, as normally everybody’s lives do?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I work hard every day, day in, day out.

Q. But do you think you want it as much when you have so many other positive things going on?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I hate losing, so…

I think anytime you accept losing, it’s definitely a good time to walk away.

At this time I feel like I’m playing great tennis, but obviously I have to avoid having days like this. It’s not a good thing for me.

Q. The statistics had you down for 29 unforced errors. That’s probably more than you committed in the first four rounds, wasn’t it?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think in the first round, you know, most of my rounds, it was in the single digits, you know, for two sets.

So I just didn’t do myself any favors. I just think, uhm, you know, I just kept ?? I don’t know. It was not a good match today.

Q. She played well, obviously, but some of the errors were not as a result of her good play.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, you know, I felt like she played solid. But, I mean, you know, if I hadn’t contributed to her effort, I’m not sure that it would have gone as well. So I definitely made too many contributions today to her.Q. Obviously you’ve played mostly great matches all year. You have had a handful of these. You say you have to stop having these. What can you do during the match to fight this off?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it’s important to stay in the moment. I think sometimes when you miss some shots you get caught up in the ones you miss, not the ones you need to make.

Obviously I expect a lot from myself. Of course, I’m disappointed if I’m not playing the tennis I think I can play. It’s important to stay in that moment, and that’s not always easy.

Q. Was it the forehand that let you down the most today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I missed all shots today: forehand, volley, backhand. You know, if there was a shot to miss, I think I missed it.

Q. What was the problem with the serve? Was the sun an issue at one point?

VENUS WILLIAMS: The sun was on the far side. But, you know, I didn’t get it in.

Q. When you won yesterday, you said you felt you’ve been trying to play too many perfect shots, not settling for good shots. Was that something that affected you today at all?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don’t remember saying that. But, you know, I think a lot of those approach shots I was missing because I felt like I got a short ball literally every point.

I just felt, you know, you have to have the mentality on the short ball to hit the approach and be ready for the volley. And I felt like I didn’t slow myself down enough, and I just kept trying to hit too good of a ?? you know, you have to not want to win the point, especially when the ball’s bouncing low.

On the grass, the bounce isn’t always true, so you have to adjust your shot. I think I just let things start going too fast.

Q. Losses and wins both can be either triumphs of the emotions, mentality, technique, or strategy. Which would you say was most responsible today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: All (laughter.) Like I said, you know, I didn’t bring my best tennis today. And sometimes, like I said, you really have to live in the moment. I got too caught up in the mistakes I was making instead of just letting it go and moving on.

I expect a lot from myself, especially at this tournament. When I missed a few shots, I think I just kind of, you know, maybe was a little too hard on myself.

Usually I stay, you know, for the most part, pretty positive. But, you know, yeah.

Q. Since the millennium, five titles, three times in the final. How disappointing is it to fall so short this time?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, uhm, you know, it’s very disappointing. I felt like I played some players along the way who played really well. You know, I think she played really well, too, but maybe not as tough as like my fourth round or my third round or even my second round.
You know, to not be able to bring my best tennis today and to just make that many errors is disappointing in a match where I feel like, you know, I wasn’t overpowered, you know, hit off the court or anything; where I just kind of let myself exit.
So obviously I’m not pleased with this result, but I have to move on. What else can I do? Unless I have a time machine, which I don’t.

Q. They are announcing the next Fed Cup is in San Diego. Is that something on your radar that you’re considering?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I haven’t really thought about Fed Cup, especially right now.

Q. You’ve had quite a year. You’ve had some good wins, rising to No. 2, but also some tough losses. In terms of the Grand Slams, to win seven straight matches in a row at the highest level, do you feel that’s something you can achieve again and again?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I’ve done it before and have the experience to do it. So, uhm, definitely. I mean, that’s not a doubt for me.

But obviously losses like this aren’t fun. But, you know, I’ll be back obviously at the US Open.

Q. Serena is about to win. Will you stay and back her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I’m in doubles tomorrow, so…

Q. You’re staying in the doubles?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, so… I don’t just pull out. Even if I’m injured, I play. There’s no such thing as a pull?out for me. I continue until the very, very end, win, lose, or draw.

Q. Will a win in the doubles help you get over what happened today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I have to get over it. I have to play another match. I want to win that match. I don’t want to lose that match. I have to move on rather quickly.

Q. Were there any niggles or injury worries you could put down to the fact you didn’t play at your best?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don’t talk about injuries ever, so…

I congratulate her for hanging in there for me to make yet another error. So, yeah.

Q. When you have a match like today, to what degree does it make you think about the possibility of having a limited time left in your career; that maybe this isn’t what you want to pursue all the time?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, why wouldn’t I want to pursue this? I’m pretty good at it most days. Today I didn’t seem to be the best tennis player, but for the most part, I rock and roll this game.

I’ll give it up when I’m just terrible. It would take more than just a few bad days in a year to make me quit tennis. So that’s not even in the equation.

Q. Looks like Serena might play Kanepi. Do you know much about her?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I’ve played her a few times. Everyone always comes out and plays their best. You know, I haven’t played anyone this tournament who wasn’t ready to play. I’m sure she’ll come out and play.

Serena has played so many matches, she’ll be able to adjust to whatever during the match.

....rest of interview @ wimbledon.org

Interview from wimbledon.org

(Mother Marjorie Note: DUH, Venus Williams! The reason you lost is because your opponent didn't give you any pace, which caused you to hit more unforced errors. She last beat you in the first round of the 2006 Australian Open, dishing you out a bagel in the process. Pironkova played you the same way she did in Australia and beat you again. She played smart tennis. You didn't.)

 

[OddJack]

I am sorry for the state of WTA when these are their number one and two.

 

[Bud]

Venus looked out of sorts since the beginning of her match with Groth... when she was late arriving on court (after the steward apparently never came for her).

She entered the court with Pironkova wearing that same spaced out look.

Funny... Brad Gilbert thought Venus would give a straight-set beatdown to Svetana... Just as he predicted with Roddick over Lu

He was really far off on some of his predictions.

(Mother Marjorie Note: DUH, Venus Williams! The reason you lost is because your opponent didn't give you any pace, which caused you to hit more unforced errors. She last beat you in the first round of the 2006 Australian Open, dishing you out a bagel in the process. Pironkova played you the same way she did in Australia and beat you again. She played smart tennis. You didn't.)

Did you watch the match?

She did give Venus pace on some shots. The key was that she mixed it up on virtually every shot. Some were hard and down the middle... some loopy... then she also used an OFFENSIVE slice FH at least 5 times. That shot (for some reason) really seemed to catch Venus by surprise.

It was a great match (on deconstructing Venus) and others who have trouble beating Venus should definitely watch it.

 

[jodd]

It's always hard to tell how many errors are truly forced and unforced, however, it's certainly fair to say that Venus was playing terribly, and looked as if she would have played terribly regardless of the opponent. Yes, I did just contradict myself. Slam me for bias all you want, but even on serves, Venus just was not consistent. Credit to her opponent for mixing it up and keeping Venus from getting into the sort of rhythm necessary to find the range on her strokes, but today was just another showing of just how unwilling she is to adjust when her all-out game isn't working, just another iteration of the Venus who lost so terribly to Clijsters in the spring.

 

[egn]

(Mother Marjorie Note: DUH, Venus Williams! The reason you lost is because your opponent didn't give you any pace, which caused you to hit more unforced errors. She last beat you in the first round of the 2006 Australian Open, dishing you out a bagel in the process. Pironkova played you the same way she did in Australia and beat you again. She played smart tennis. You didn't.)

Did you watch the match. There was pace. Pironokova was solid and did as she said. She just put every ball in play. Venus made errors, she was an error machine today. It was a good match for Pironkova. I would say it is this style of game that however does bring a downfall to Venus. Unlike Serena who last better in long rallies Venus does not like it to take as long, she seems to try to end things quicker and Pironkova who was getting to everything and putting it back in with usually strong hits was putting Venus in tough situations. I am kind of shocked this girl is 81 but then she is on the WTA so she is probably a head case.

 

[marosmith]

I never thought Venus was as evil as Serena but after reading this it's like they are the same disgusting arrogant freak of a person.

 

[Bud]

I never thought Venus was as evil as Serena but after reading this it's like they are the same disgusting arrogant freak of a person.

Why so? Nothing she stated is that heinous, IMO.

 

[egn]

I never thought Venus was as evil as Serena but after reading this it's like they are the same disgusting arrogant freak of a person.

What was so evil and disgusting.

Lets take a look at the numbers...

Round 3:
Venus : Winners 24/ UErrors 15/ Aces 7/ Doubles 2/ BP 5 of 11/ Receiving 47%/Avg 1st Sv 112mph/Avg 2nd Sv 93mph/1st Sv % 65

Round 4:
Venus: Winners 26/ UErrors 15/ Aces 9/ Doubles 3/ BP 3 of 3/ Receiving 38%/Avg 1st Sv 110mph/ Avg 2nd Sv 92mph/1st SV% 56

QF:
Venus: Winners: 22/UError 29/Aces 3/ Doubles 5/ BP 1 of 3/ Receiving 35%/ Avg 1st SV 102/ Avg 22nd SV 86/ 1st SV% 57

Look at the numbers her serve was way off today. So were her ground strokes. Her opponent today only had 12 winners. She scored a ton of points off Venus UEs. Venus was hit or miss today in the bad way. It's not like her opponent was serving hard either. Groth and Kleybanova all averaged first serves 10mph higher and second serves at least 5 (Groth's was nearly 15mph higher). Venus really lost this match. I mean you can all continue to spew hatred for her, but the stats are right there. The Error count was high today shots that normally Venus would have at least put back into play and drew an error on or hit a winner were missing. It was also very clear the Venus was not too confident her in her groundstrokes. She was constantly pushing into the net approaching the net in this one match almost more than in rounds 3+4 combined, with 40 net approaches and she only won half unlike the high percentage she had in earlier rounds. Which means she was going in on shots she normally would not go in on. What killed her today was she wasn't serving as well and it was bothering her. She was overly offensive it seemed to try to compensate for weaker serves and she constantly was giving second chances. She would save a break point then either give another chance right back or next game give another one. She was very inconsistent which on grass is rare for venus.

 

[TheTruth]

It's always hard to tell how many errors are truly forced and unforced, however, it's certainly fair to say that Venus was playing terribly, and looked as if she would have played terribly regardless of the opponent. Yes, I did just contradict myself. Slam me for bias all you want, but even on serves, Venus just was not consistent. Credit to her opponent for mixing it up and keeping Venus from getting into the sort of rhythm necessary to find the range on her strokes, but today was just another showing of just how unwilling she is to adjust when her all-out game isn't working, just another iteration of the Venus who lost so terribly to Clijsters in the spring.

I agree. She hardly ever adjusts or changes her game. Too willing to go down on a sinking ship. I don't enjoy watching Venus, she also hasn't done anything to her game in over ten years.

 

[Bud]

I agree. She hardly ever adjusts or changes her game. Too willing to go down on a sinking ship. I don't enjoy watching Venus, she also hasn't done anything to her game in over ten years.

Sharapova is very similar... but even more one-dimensional. She'd rather lose than change tactics.

When their game is working they'll blast right through the draw. If it's off they'll probably go down.

 

[Mr_Shiver]

After how many years on tour and she still hasn't fixed that FH. I actually like Venus but that thing is so ugly and can just bleed errors. She has no variety either. If she had a decent slice, drop shot, and the willingness to loop that fh when its off, then should could better compensate for days when plan bash 'n' smash isn't working.

 

[TheTruth]

Sharapova is very similar... but even more one-dimensional. She'd rather lose than change tactics.

When their game is working they'll blast right through the draw. If it's off they'll probably go down.

That's true. They both run hot and cold. I don't think Maria can do much more, but Venus could if she'd buckle down. She used to do that, but not anymore. Now she just goes along with whatever she's doing and let's that be it.

 

[egn]

Sharapova is very similar... but even more one-dimensional. She'd rather lose than change tactics.

When their game is working they'll blast right through the draw. If it's off they'll probably go down.

Exactly why neither are consistent on clay. They each have one good result for when they are hitting all their spots. Reason Serena won more slams than Venus as well, although Venus at her best might be better than Serena at her best, Venus is not at her best nearly as often as Serena because her best does not allow for any give and take. It either works or doesn't. Lately it doesn't alot more than it does.

 

[decades]

the first thing ESPN analysts or tennis beat writers think is "is she injured?" as if no Williams sister could actually be beaten on court if they weren't....venus is getting old...tennis is pretty simple. older players don't win very often and the older they get the less they are going to win....

 

[TheTruth]

Exactly why neither are consistent on clay. They each have one good result for when they are hitting all their spots. Reason Serena won more slams than Venus as well, although Venus at her best might be better than Serena at her best, Venus is not at her best nearly as often as Serena because her best does not allow for any give and take. It either works or doesn't. Lately it doesn't alot more than it does.

Venus has never been better than Serena, imo, even when she was winning the big ones. Richard Williams said that from the start and I agreed. I saw it when they first came on the tour. My tennis buddies thought I was crazy, because Venus was winning, but winning doesn't always tell the whole story.

Serena has more tennis smarts, more shots, plans a & b, knows how to bear down. Never gives up. Venus just hits hard and if it doesn't go in she'll hit it harder.

I like how Bud put it. I never thought about it that way, but now that he mentioned it, Venus and Maria are pretty similar in their approach.

 

[davey25]

Exactly why neither are consistent on clay. They each have one good result for when they are hitting all their spots. Reason Serena won more slams than Venus as well, although Venus at her best might be better than Serena at her best, Venus is not at her best nearly as often as Serena because her best does not allow for any give and take. It either works or doesn't. Lately it doesn't alot more than it does.

The biggest reason I think Serena has more slams at this point than Venus is their personal history and the clear edge Serena has there. Venus has only denied Serena 3 possible slams at most, but Serena was not certain to win either Wimbledon 2000 or U.S Open 2001 had Venus not been around either. Serena has denied Venus as much as 7 possible slams, probably more likely 5 or 6 but still much more than vice versa.

 

[egn]

Venus has never been better than Serena, imo, even when she was winning the big ones. Richard Williams said that from the start and I agreed. I saw it when they first came on the tour. My tennis buddies thought I was crazy, because Venus was winning, but winning doesn't always tell the whole story.

Serena has more tennis smarts, more shots, plans a & b, knows how to bear down. Never gives up. Venus just hits hard and if it doesn't go in she'll hit it harder.

I like how Bud put it. I never thought about it that way, but now that he mentioned it, Venus and Maria are pretty similar in their approach.

Well I agree Serena is overall smarter and has more shots, but when Venus is clicking she hits wicked strong shots and paints the lines. Thats the only reason I think at her absolute best she could beat Serena. However this happens on rarely.

Maria is in essence a poor woman's Venus.

 

[TheTruth]

Well I agree Serena is overall smarter and has more shots, but when Venus is clicking she hits wicked strong shots and paints the lines. Thats the only reason I think at her absolute best she could beat Serena. However this happens on rarely.

Maria is in essence a poor woman's Venus.

Yeah, it's been a while since Venus clicked. The last time I remember seeing her play well was against Davenport at Wimbledon. I admit I usually fast forward through her matches, because she's too error prone for me. I would be extremely frustrated if I was a fan of hers.

 

[fedhingis515]

Yeah, it's been a while since Venus clicked. The last time I remember seeing her play well was against Davenport at Wimbledon. I admit I usually fast forward through her matches, because she's too error prone for me. I would be extremely frustrated if I was a fan of hers.

You should've been in my living room during her match against Li Na in Australia. Oh boy...

 

[jones101]

You should've been in my living room during her match against Li Na in Australia. Oh boy...

Please dont remind me lol

 

[MichaelNadal]

Please dont remind me lol

I was 6 kinds of pissed off. Probably the worst match I've ever seen.

 

[TheTruth]

You should've been in my living room during her match against Li Na in Australia. Oh boy...

I don't remember that match. Who won? Li Na?

She's a cutie.

 

[vortex1]

It's a well known fact that none of the WS ever lose a match when at their best. They either "let their opponent into the match", "play very badly", or the opponent wins by "lucky shots". WTA will be very enjoyable when they finally retire. Looks like Venus isn't that far off.

 

[lonux]

Yeah, like Henin always admits she played very well when she just lost a match.
And by the way, remember the match S. Williams - Henin where the crowd was all against Serena? Henin was being a ***** in that match, making the crowd even more enraged and rooting against Serena. Afterwards Serena told "Henin was playing very well today", "she started out really strong". She also said the crowd was "all over her for winning".
Though she didn't state the crowd was against her, she didn't state Henin was a ***** and cheating.

Venus Williams was right with these comments. She prepared her own exit. Pironkova helped her in the way, but it's mostly hrow fault.

 

[Gizo]

Venus simply couldn't cope with Pironkova's forehand slice/squash shot, that gave her no pace to feed off.
Pironkova has a very good backhand and moves incredibly well for a girl of her height.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Venus' biggest strength is also that she is pretty quick, her only great shot is her backhand.Her suspect serve and forehand often break down due to being technically dodgy, so I'm never surprised to see her lose to whoever.

 

[TennisBalkan]

Serena and Venus do not adjust to different tactics and for this reason they lose to players that can hit a variety of shots and that can use a variety of tactics. The Williams sisters have one tactic: hit hard, when things go bad the tactic is: hit harder, and this usually doesn't work. The sisters are also not very quick and this makes it even harder to adjust.

Btw congratulations to Tsveti

Bulgaria:1 USA:0

 

[MotherMarjorie]

Did you watch the match?

She did give Venus pace on some shots. The key was that she mixed it up on virtually every shot. Some were hard and down the middle... some loopy... then she also used an OFFENSIVE slice FH at least 5 times. That shot (for some reason) really seemed to catch Venus by surprise.

It was a great match (on deconstructing Venus) and others who have trouble beating Venus should definitely watch it.

Mother Marjorie did watch the match, and it was a clinic being shown on how to totally break down Venus' game without ever having to overpower the ball.

Venus and Serena seem to think that no one really "beats them" unless they overpower them off the court. Its that sort of ignorance and total denial which has kept both women from historical greatness in the sport.

 

[marosmith]

It's a well known fact that none of the WS ever lose a match when at their best. They either "let their opponent into the match", "play very badly", or the opponent wins by "lucky shots". WTA will be very enjoyable when they finally retire. Looks like Venus isn't that far off.

Yep, the arrogance is nauseating

 

[Buckethead]

Venus is dumb as a rock.
"I didn't put many balls in" she said that about 15 times.
The Williams Brothers should retire or at least go play ATP.

 

[Buckethead]

Mother Marjorie did watch the match, and it was a clinic being shown on how to totally break down Venus' game without ever having to overpower the ball.

Venus and Serena seem to think that no one really "beats them" unless they overpower them off the court. Its that sort of ignorance and total denial which has kept both women from historical greatness in the sport.

That's right,arrogance is what they have as their main virtue.

 

[WChiang]

Venus is dumb as a rock.
"I didn't put many balls in" she said that about 15 times.
The Williams Brothers should retire or at least go play ATP.

As you type on a retail tennis equipment internet site from your basement with juvenile insults about two great athletes and multiple grand slam winners..........you appear quite creepy and dripping with other issues. Just sayin', lol. Get some fresh air and try to gather up a bit of self-esteem old chap.

 

[Arize]

Pironkova took a **** on her and I absolutley loved it, stop convincing yourselves that Venus beat herself because when you play tennis there is always someone across the net that does the job for you believe it or not.

 

[MotherMarjorie]

Pironkova took a **** on her and I absolutley loved it, stop convincing yourselves that Venus beat herself because when you play tennis there is always someone across the net that does the job for you believe it or not.

Mother Marjorie whole-heartedly agrees. There are subtle ways in which to frustrate your opponents and mentally sabotage their game. Its called playing smart. Ashe did it to Connors in the '75 Wimbledon finals. Pironkova absolutely did it to Venus in the '10 Wimbledon quarterfinals, giving Venus her worse loss ever at Wimbledon.

Venus was not going to admit that Pironkova gave a clinic on how to beat her on grass, or just about any other surface for that matter.

My favorite point of the match is when Venus rushed the net by hitting an approach shot to Pironkova's forehand, and Pironkova hit a heavily-sliced forehand low to Venus' forehand. Venus netted the forehand. It was emblematic of what Pironkova did to Venus the entire match. Venus didn't know how to handle the slower pace of the ball. Her game thrives on receiving power. Prionkova gave her a lot of different looks.

Venus has never really had a "plan B" for her game, which is one reason why she hasn't done better in the GS singles tournaments and doesn't have a GOAT career.

Venus has taken a few uncharacteristic beat downs this year. But this one had to sting like wasps. Prionkova beat Venus down mentally and stomped on her game. Its these kind of matches that reminds us of how fragile any player can be mentally on any given day. Its what makes tennis one of the toughest sports to play day-in and day-out.

Venus didn't allow herself to exit, her opponent kicked the door down for her to leave.

 

[ChrisCrocker]

I don't like the William sisters for certain reasons but man the hate they got on this forum is unbelievable. People are calling her arrogant for saying she made too much unforced errors which caused her the match. LOOK AT THE UE SHE HAS 29 ALMOST TWICE OF HER OTHER MATCHS AND MORE DOUBLE FAULTS AND LESS ACES.