2004 Wimbledon
Date: 2004-07-29
S. Williams def. Golovin 6-2, 6-1

Question Tell us all about appearing on Centre Court against the best player in the world.
Answer It was amazing, really. You know, I thought I was going to be a little bit more nervous than I was, but I felt really good out there. I think that's a big improvement for me. I'm getting used to the big courts. I don't think I played that bad. I still have a lot of things to work on. I'm just happy already to be in the fourth round, playing on Centre Court for my first time. So it's a good experience.

Question Four game points to go ahead in the second set.
Answer Yeah, I think I had pretty much lot of chances. I didn't serve -- I didn't have that many, I think, first serves in. So I think that kind of -- that didn't help me a lot. But otherwise, no, I felt that I could play with her, you know. Just a few more points and I -- the score would be tighter.

Question Even in defeat, do you feel as if you've gone beyond any expectations you had coming into the tournament?
Answer You know, I think I won the matches I was supposed to win, really. You know, I played well. You know, playing Serena, of course, beating her for the first time, would be really amazing. But I'll do it next time. So, like I said, I'll be happy. I'm happy, you know, being in the fourth round.

Question What's it like? There she is. Is she frightening? Impressive? Awesome?
Answer No, it's not that bad really (laughter). She's just appear like any other, you know, player. She makes mistakes, she hits winners. Just got to get used it and, you know, improve, you know, work hard, continue to work hard.

Question What was it like dealing with that weight of shot?
Answer Uhm, I think it's more that she hits deep, so it's kind of tough to, you know, do anything with the ball. I didn't feel like I was really overpowered, though. I mean, obviously the serve, she got some good serves in.

Question Were you aware she broke the Wimbledon serve record?
Answer Really?

Question 126 miles an hour, the fastest at Wimbledon.
Answer Good for her.

Question Were you aware of that?
Answer No.

Question But you had an idea she was serving pretty big?
Answer Yeah, obviously. She's a strong girl.

Question Have you ever come up against serves like that on grass before?
Answer Probably not. No, it's my first pro tournament on grass, so.

Question You've had this odyssey from Russia to France to the United States. It's sort of a triple play. You don't know much about Russia, I gather.
Answer (Shaking head.)

Question France and the United States, is that a good balance?
Answer I think I'm really lucky, you know, to be able to live in both, you know, to know both cultures. But I definitely feel more French. But like I said, I'm very lucky because I get to meet a lot of new people. I can speak both languages, and that helps a lot. You get the humor of both, so I feel very lucky.

Question Where do you consider your permanent residence?
Answer Paris.

Question Is it correct you've been selected for the Fed Cup, is that right?
Answer I think the selection hasn't been made yet. I think they're supposed to say it today.

Question My mobile phone says it's been made.
Answer Okay. Then, yeah. And the Olympics, too, so.

Question Must be very pleased with that?
Answer Very, very pleased. I'm very excited about that. You know, like I said, I don't know how my year can really get any better.

Question Is it hard to take everything in with so much happening in such a short stretch of time?
Answer You don't really realize, honestly. Like I just kind of want to, you know, step back and look from somebody else's point of view and be like, "This is what I am." Everything goes so fast, you really don't realize. I think that's kind of a shame, too, because it just goes way too fast.