A. SZAVAY/V. Williams
6‑0, 6‑4


Q. How frustrated was it to play a singles against Szavay? Especially first set, rhythm, couldn't find the right solutions.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I had a tough day, and I didn't get the ball in the court, and that didn't help me at all. It was just, you know, a day where I didn't ‑‑ they didn't go in. So it was, you know, a little difficult to recover from that first set.
You know, I'm used to beating people 6‑0. I'm not used to my shot not going in and losing a set 6‑0. So it completely was foreign ground for me.

Q. 6‑Love? Did you think this cannot be true?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it seemed every shot I tried, somehow it found a way to go out. So the first set was a challenge.

Q. Since 2002 looks like Roland Garros is a very tough Grand Slam for you. Can you explain why you're struggling here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Every year is different. Today I had a tough day, so...

Q. Was movement a problem for you today? Moving around?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I had a lot of struggles out there,and ultimately you've got to play well. Today it just didn't, you know, didn't come together for me.
Sometimes the more shots you miss, the harder it is to make the next one. It's just so important to leave that miss in the past and move forward.


Q. Was there something in particular that she did that gave you problems?
VENUS WILLIAMS: She hung in there. She played really well, but I definitely have to attribute that loss to, you know, to me not being able to execute what I wanted to on the court.

Q. You looked so out of sorts. I wondered, was there any kind of feeling in the morning, like you were going to have a tough day?
VENUS WILLIAMS: When you go out in the morning, I just prepare and always positive. Yeah,just ‑‑ yeah.

Q. Your opponent played pretty good tennis before coming here in Paris. Were you expecting such a tough game from her?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I definitely ‑‑ I expect everyone to come out and play well. Yeah, she played well.

Q. In doubles, you have to play her again. Is there a feeling like, oh, my God, not again Szavay, or do you block that out?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't think that way.

Q. Does winning doubles compensate for losing the singles or not?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Of course I'm disappointed, but, you know, I have to play the next match. I have to go out there and get focused and play, because I still would like to do very well in the doubles.

Q. You couldn't find your rhythm on clay this season, or was it difficult to find the right shots?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Like I said, my balls were just flying out today. There's no explanation for it,just ‑‑ yeah...

Q. So even when you were up a break, did you think that you could still hang it on this match? Did you feel like your game is where it should be?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, of course. I always think that the match is going to turn around, and I'm always finding a way to make it happen. That's what everyone does out there. I would imagine that's what I do.
So, you know, of course when I got that break, I was going and trying to hold for 5‑3. I had chances.


(via www.rolandgarros.com, photo/AP Photo)

Venus Williams - Roland Garros 29. May Interview