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Q. Given where you were and how you were playing earlier in the match, tell us your emotions. Is it deflating?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. You know, obviously losing any match is, you know, never any fun, especially in a major. So definitely would have wanted a different result.



Q. What happened?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think she played really well, and I think just my level was a little bit too up and down.



Q. Any similarities to that match with Ana in Auckland?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, you know, I think obviously I think my error count was a little high. I haven't looked at the stats yet, so I don't know what the errors were or the first serve percentage was. I have to look at that and just kind of evaluate the match.



Q. When you were up in the third set 3 Love, what happened next? Did she pick up her game or did you start making more errors? What do you think was the key?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think a bit of both. I have to give her a lot of credit. She was really determined, and, you know, just kept playing hard. I think any time you're seeded you just really want to win the first round.



Q. I think you won over 80% of your points at the net. Is that a big offseason focus for you and do you think it will serve you well in doubles?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I definitely worked on my volleys, and I think I was effective up there. I do like getting to the net. So that's, you know, that was a good step for me.



Q. Is it something that comes naturally, intuitively to you? Is it something you need to keep reminding yourself, to get up there?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think it's pretty natural for me to move forward. It's my mindset. But I think for everyone you kind of sometimes get tentative, so everyone has to keep moving forward.



Q. In general, how are you feeling? Did you feel like fatigue was any more than any, you know, than five years ago?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I just really focused on the match and just tried to put the ball in the court and played aggressive. That's pretty much what I tried to do.



Q. Hard to say after a loss, but is it still worth it, the travel, the practice, the treatments, all of that? Do you still feel like it's worth it to get out there?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah. I mean, I train really hard. You know, I was hitting the ball well this week, and, you know, obviously it was disappointing to not win the first round.



Q. How much of your health issues, over the past 12 months and now recently coming into this tournament, how has your health been?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, you know, the last 12 months I have had issues, but this year I definitely am looking forward to, you know, having a good run and feeling well.



Q. Is that the major factor that will decide how much longer you will keep going?
VENUS WILLIAMS: As for what?



Q. Your health.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think, you know, that's a factor for any professional athlete, so I don't think I'm any different from anyone else.



Q. Do you think you might consider doing mixed here?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I think I won once, so that was enough (smiling). Mixed is tough. I just try my best in the doubles, and, you know, root Serena on.



Q. Is this one of your designs, the dress that you're wearing today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah.



Q. What's the inspiration?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I love tie dye, so pretty much that's the inspiration.



Q. Did you have a lot of compliments about it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just put it on, so I don't know yet.



Q. Do your expectations remain pretty similar every tournament you go in wanting to win it, or how do you look at it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I totally do want to win tournaments. It's fun. So going into tournaments, that's always something I hope for.



Q. You said you won the mixed once and that was enough. You have pretty much done everything once. What does keep you going?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I love tennis. It's fun. I think pretty much anyone who plays tennis will say that they enjoy the game, so I think that is definitely motivation for me, something that I enjoy.



Q. How close do you feel like you are in closing the gap between where you know you can play and where you find yourself, your level at this time? Do you feel like you're closing that gap?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. That's difficult to say, because I do play really, you know, points really well, and then sometimes I don't put them together as well. I feel like I have to be patient with myself, because I really haven't had a chance to play that consistently.

So I think I just have to be patient and keep going and just wait for it to keep coming together more and more.



Q. Are you patient with yourself?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, now I am. I am now.



Q. Rod Laver was saying as he got older, it wasn't that any of his shots abandoned him, just that he had more off days or patches in matches where he started going off the rails more. Have you found that's the biggest challenge?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I can't really give you a fair account of that, because I just haven't played a lot. So I think if I'm playing consistently, then maybe I can, you know, do a better assessment, but I think for me I just have to keep playing tournaments.



Q. Will we see you again next year?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I love Australia. I'd love to come back.

Q. Is that one match where you can feel like you're the youngster out there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, right? Definitely I was younger today (smiling). But when you step out on the court, I don't think anybody thinks about age. Because if you're out on this tour it means you deserve to be here. You've got the skill. It must mean you know how to play. So at that point she has the number, as they say.

Q. How did you feel out there? Obviously got off to a bit of a tough start, but you really fought your way back.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, definitely. Not the ideal start, but she's a tricky player. I think she started coming up with some really good shots off my serve. I think I just wasn't able to convert enough holds. She just goes for runs, and I give her a lot of credit for winning the first set and really making it extremely challenging.

Q. You had another adversary out there in the flying form. What about that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, she has so much class she didn't swat it. So once it was my turn, then I think I would have been remiss to swat it myself. Kind of came up with a strategy to hopefully, you know, follow her example in that. Just let the fly land on the racquet and in the towel. I guess he's on his way now.

Q. Is there something nerve-wracking about playing the first match? In gambling terms the opponent is playing with the house's money. They can afford to be loose and have fun, where the main player is the one the pressure is all on. You have done enough of these matches at these slams.

VENUS WILLIAMS: As they say, it's easy to watch a match. It's easy to watch and do everything, but when you get out there it's not always easy. Pressure, as I think Billie Jean King says, is a privilege. But a lot is mental. At the end of the day it's all the pressure you put on yourself. So, yeah, everybody is putting pressure on theirselves in this tournament. It's the last major of the year. It's prestigious. At the end of the day you have to find a way to just get out there and put it in.

Q. Speaking of pressure, you have your clothing line, EleVen. Now you've ventured into interior design. What do you like best? Do you like doing that? Do you like doing that for celebrities?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, both are serious businesses for me. I have been doing interior design for a decade now, and fashion with EleVen since recently, for quite a few years, as well. It's a lot of work. I love it, and I love a challenge.

Q. When you play in a match like this which takes such a toll in this heat and more than two hours, is it a cumulative thing? Do you worry that this will follow you as the tournament goes along and play doubles? You play all these matches, is that a problem?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, that's always a risk, but what can you do? You just live another day. Live to fight another day, as they say.

Q. Would you ever consider dropping the doubles?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. I don't think that's wise, because the doubles is a title. When they say your name and they say so-and-so has X number of titles, guess what? Those doubles ones feel real good. For me the doubles is very serious. It's not, oh, let's play for fun. Those are Grand Slam titles that I am trying to win. So I never would withdraw from a Grand Slam competition, singles or doubles, lightheartedly.

Q. Today is Althea Gibson's birthday. How has she inspired you during your career, and what did it mean for you to be out there on Arthur Ashe stadium on her birthday?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, what she accomplished is something no one else did, to be not only the best player in the world during that time where she had no support and in a time when it was hard to feel good about yourself because who you were was something that was considered inferior. So that was very difficult. I can't imagine how she felt. She did it with class and she did it with grace. I'm very fortunate not to have had to play under those circumstances. I have had an opportunity to play well and be myself, and because of her, I'm really proud of who I am. Really, what she has done, you know, goes beyond words.

Q. What role do you think you and your sister have played in terms of diversity throughout the course of your career?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Serena and I played in a different time. I think we played in a different time where you're able to have opportunities. And people love to be on the side of a winner, so, you know, the things that everyone did, women's rights, civil rights, all of those things are a different time, thank God. I'm not saying it's a perfect time, but it is a different time. So, yes, I think that Serena and I influenced lots of young people, lots of African-Americans, hopefully all kinds of people all around the world, to live a better life through sports or even if they never played.

Q. You have had this incredible year, an incredible career that spanned a great deal of time. All the great Championships, the doubles, playing with your sister, role model, pioneer in terms of equal money, overcoming a sickness. What's been the best part over the years of being Venus Williams?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think the best part has just been having the support and the love of my family. My family member is here, Aisha. That has been crucial. You can have an unbelievable career, but your life outside of your career can be just awful. So for me to be able to have success is what I do, but it's not who I am. And to have a great family behind me and a sister on tour, for me that's the best part.

Q. Do you ever think, Gee, my father was kind of special? He planned it after he saw a match on TV and exactly how he planned with his long guidelines and it just came true. Does that ever strike you as totally amazing?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes (smiling). He's an unbelievable guy, and I couldn't thank him more for what he did for our whole family and just giving us an opportunity to play tennis.

Q. Is he unbelievable because he also seemed to have a knowing of when to step back a little bit? That you were older and not be like smothering you girls, which a lot of the parents around here don't seem to...

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, thankfully our parents raised us to make our own decisions. Thankfully. And thank God they understood how to protect us when we were younger, but also how to let us also grow at the same time. So I'm sure that's tricky. I haven't been a parent, but it has to be tricky to try to protect your kids from the world, try to make the right decisions for them, but also let them move on. So really it was just a perfect combination.

Q. Do you ever feel old out there?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Not yet (smiling).

Q. You're aware you're 34. It's not unique to you. But a lot of people, Why is she still here or whatever? When is she going to retire? Then with the syndrome a little bit, like, Why does she keep playing? You have a year like this - you won Dubai; final in Canada - is it like an I-told-you-so moment? Like why are you trying to push me out the door?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't even they think about it anymore. According to Kimiko I have another decade. She set the prime example. She's top 100 and no one can beat her easily. Yeah, she's breaking the mold.

Q. Do you laugh a bit? I remember you girls saying, I don't even think we'll be here at 25. Here you are still wanting to play at 34.

VENUS WILLIAMS: When you're 16, 25 is a few decades away (laughter). Now 25 is literally a decade behind me. But I'm going to stay as long as I'm playing well and as long as there is an opportunity, as long as I want to be here. As long as I'm here it's because I want to.

Q. Are you a free agent when it comes to endorsements? No Nike swoosh. Normally we see that.

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I throw that EleVen out there.

Q. You have won here and other places. When you come here, you know the atmosphere. You have to get mentally ready for the airplanes and the noise and everything, or can you just play your game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It's definitely different. I mean, also there is amazing moments, too, when the crowd is screaming, it's 4-All in the third, and then the silence comes. But also there is the hospitality and then there is the airplanes and the wind is constantly swirling. The court is massive. So somewhere between there you have to center yourself.

Q. The three-setters this summer, do you think you have gotten better since your diagnosis?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I was feeling better this summer and I had some better results. I never want to play three-setters. It's not in the plan. Somehow I ended up in these matches. I would like to think the more I play the better I'll get at closing it out.

Q. How do you feel coming into this tournament with the good results that you've been having? Do you feel better this year than you have, say, in the last several in terms of the chances to go deep or contend for the title?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Honestly, I have won slams where I didn't feel like I was playing my best. I have won when I felt like I wasn't prepared. I felt like I lost when I thought I was playing amazing. You can't ever tell what exactly it's going to take. If I would tell you every win that I have had, it took something a little bit different to win that tournament. So unfortunately there is no magic formula besides you better play really well and you better figure it out somehow. That's my whole thing, is like I don't know what's gonna happen, but I've got to figure out how I'm going to play well.

Q. You and your sister came in as the top two ranked Americans again. What are your thoughts on the young Americans on the tour?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think we have some good Americans. I think there was an American on before me. I think she was American. I haven't heard of her. But she was playing well. That's nice. We even had Jamie Hamilton as well, who is out on injury. But she's playing well. Of course I'm always rooting for great American tennis. I'm pretty biased on that.

Q. If you weren't playing tennis, what would you be doing?

VENUS WILLIAMS: That's impossible to say.

Q. Interior design, fashion, translator?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I used to run track. So perhaps I would have excelled at that.

Q. What did you run?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I ran the 200 and the 400.

Q. What was your best?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I was a child, so I don't think I got to the best. Maybe I loved it, I probably would have continued that.

Q. Do you follow track?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, no. It kind of passed me by.

Q. What are your thoughts on advancing here after it hasn't gone your way the last few years to get this far?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, the last couple years I fought really hard and I really played red-hot opponents. So it wasn't like I didn't try. My opponents, they played so well. Sometimes you don't win 'em. That's why you get up and you live to fight another day. So that's really what it's about for me.

Q. That's about the then. What about the now?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, now I'm happy. I won a match again. Finally I did something I couldn't do the last couple years. That's good stuff.

Q. How well do you think you're playing at the moment?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I feel like I'm playing well. I feel like I play my best when my opponent pushes me really. Once we start to, you know, really start to get into a slugfest, I feel like I really relax. Sometimes I feel like when they aren't pushing me as much maybe I'm a little too passive at times. I don't know. But I do feel like, you know, when things get tight, I feel like I can rely on myself to compete really well. So that's a good feeling.

Q. Are there more moments when you're serving well and moving well where you feel like 10 years ago, 15 years ago, you could do anything?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, this summer I'm playing a lot of tournaments. I was playing a lot of great defense. Even today some good defense, as well. I played a lot of defensive players this summer. It was interesting because my defense was really on par with theirs, which is interesting for an offensive player. So that feels good, as well, to know that I can get over there and retrieve some balls.

Q. When you think about your next opponent, Sara Errani, what do you think about her and what could be the key for the match?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Really just focus because she's so focused. She does everything well on the court clearly, because she's a great singles player and a doubles player. Every time I've played her, I've had to be focused on every single point, because she does not let up on any point no matter what the score is. If she's down 5-Love, 40-Love and never won a game in the match, she is in there still to win the match. That's my main thing: to stay focused and play my game.

Q. Do you ever think when you are so tall, so powerful, how different it could be for the tennis player when you are very short with no power?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, you know, there's some players who are taller and shorter. You're going to have different strengths and weaknesses because of that. For her, because she's not as tall as some of the other players, she's developed other parts of her game. Her foot speed, really an all-around game, her mental strength, all of those things which are equal advantages. What's awesome about it is it makes tennis interesting. If everybody was big and tall it would be boring, but it's a nice juxtaposition.

Q. We know you follow fashion; you're into interior design; you like visual art. Obviously beauty is important to you, the esthetic. How do you think the emphasis, if there's too much emphasis on beauty in the promotion of women's tennis and talent and skill gets short shrifted compared to the glamour?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't think so, because if you don't have any talent or skill you're not going to get noticed. First of all, you have to play well. I definitely would focus on the aesthetic. I'm definitely into aesthetic value in terms of presentation, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Q. What challenge do the elements hold? Windy tonight.

VENUS WILLIAMS: The other day I played it was hot. Tonight the wind in the stadium is so much different going from a practice court to the stadium. The wind is actually windier. Did I say that right? Real windy, much windy, whatever, in the stadium. It's intense play to play in Arthur Ashe. You have to just focus on the ball.

Q. If you were in charge of tennis, you could change any rule you'd like or add a new rule, what might you like to change about the rules of the game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I would be against the rule for anyone named Williams to lose. That's very selfish (laughter). I haven't really thought about that really. I think tennis is going in a nice direction. I would just love for young people to continue to be involved, because that's the future of our sport. So, yeah, probably that.

Q. I understand you're pursuing a degree in business administration at Indiana University. What has that experience been like for you?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I have no life, but it's made me a better boss and it's made me more aware of how I can make better business decisions. I've had to take classes, too, that I didn't think I'd be interested in or that I was interested in that I didn't like at all. I have to say accounting almost killed me. I'm telling you, it messed my vision up. Now I'm not an accountant but I'm okay.

Q. What do you think about the WTC's program and what it's doing for women?

VENUS WILLIAMS: The WTA?

Q. The WTA, I'm sorry.

VENUS WILLIAMS: In terms of programs? There's a lot of players now pursuing degrees at Indiana University. It's a great school. You work extremely hard. You have to be focused, balanced. You have to balance your time so you don't get that F. I think it's important to explore yourself outside of tennis, because there's so much in life and it opens your eyes.

Q. You mentioned young people in the sport. There's been a lot of attention on CiCi Bellis here. What sort of advice would you give her on how to handle a big arrival into the sport?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I think just stay relaxed in the match obviously, because she can hit the ball. I haven't seen her play. If she won, she can hit the ball it seems like. That's great for women's tennis in terms of, you know, a great Fed Cup team. I hope she keeps playing well. She's so young, though, so sometimes it takes a little time. For her I would say to don't be in a rush, build a good team around you, family, positive people, whoever that is, and just continue to grow.

Q. Do you see yourself being a Fed Cup captain one day?

VENUS WILLIAMS: No. Huh-uh, no.

Q. Why?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Because it's not easy to deal with the players (laughter). It's hard to sit on the bench, and the players aren't doing anything. On the bench, you never miss. It would be tough. I don't think I could do it. But you never know. I would maybe do it if Serena and I were allowed to co-captain. That would be fun.

Q. What do you value more in terms of you won Olympic gold and Grand Slam championships; is one more important or valued more than the other?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I would say the medals, because those were beyond my dreams. Let's say I never won a major, I would still say the medals because I never won a major so I'd be trying to pump that up. But in terms of having experienced both, the medals mean the most to me.

Q. Are there things that the WTA does for the player development programs or the mentoring programs you do that are particularly helpful to other players, that were helpful to yourself? Is there anything you'd like to see added?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I don't know as much about the player development programs. I'm so far removed from it. I was in it and it was just starting, so I'm sure there's so much that has changed. So I'm not on that particular committee, but I imagine they're doing a great job.

Q. What do you enjoy most about watching Roger Federer play and how he's conducted himself during his career?

VENUS WILLIAMS: What I love about Roger is he gives 100% even if he's not 100%, and he never complains. If he's not feeling his best, he still competes well and just comes back and lives to fight another day. So in any case, besides the fact that he plays beautiful tennis, I hope we all keep playing forever as 30 somethings.

Q. What is beautiful about his game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: He's so effortless and he makes it look easy. Sometimes maybe it is too easy for him. That's a good problem to have, I guess. But just the entertainment value of how he executes his strokes. You don't get to see that one-hand backhand too often as well. It's nice to see that beautiful stroke.

Q. Why do you think women's tennis is so unpredictable? Depends by the serve, which for men is so important, or because women are unpredictable?

VENUS WILLIAMS: In the men's game they play a bit different. They're always doing cross-court to cross-court. If they have a short ball, it's down the line. It's a little more clinical. With the women, you know, you never know what you're going to get. Women are going down the line, cross-court all the time. When I play my opponents I have to be ready for every shot, because maybe it's not going where you think it should go. It's interesting and it's different. But I think as women start to get even better - because the depth is so intense right now - as the depth gets even more, perhaps it will start to be like that. I think it's interesting, too, because you can't really say, Oh, yes, they're going to be in this cross-court rally for a while. The ball is going everywhere, and that's exciting.

Q. You were saying the other night how important the doubles were to you. Taylor Townsend talked about playing doubles and mixed doubles. Would you recommend that to young players?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, definitely. Especially if you're going to come to the net, it probably will help your game even more. If you stay at the baseline, probably not as much. It will be a wonderful experience, especially if you can win. But to truly benefit, you need to get in.

Q. Winning those titles are always important.

VENUS WILLIAMS: They're always yours forever.

Q. Strange match. First two sets love. Ever happen before?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You never can predict how a match is going to go. I don't think either one of us was thinking about really what the set score is. When you're in the set you're just trying to hopefully win it. You kind of let go of whether it was a typical score or not.

Q. What are your thoughts on the effect that last night's late doubles match had on you for singles, and on the scheduling of the doubles in general?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I guess the schedule definitely wasn't ideal. It was just such a late match. Not ideal.

Q. How did you feel today out on the court, and what effect do you think the doubles last night that late had on you today?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I really just have to emphasize that I think she played really well. I think she just played one of the best matches of her life. You know, that's pretty much what I can say.

Q. How do you deal with a loss like that compared to maybe six, seven, eight years ago? Is it the same to digest a loss like that?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, in a case like today, especially you have to play another match and it's never ideal to lose two matches in a day, so... Probably the best way to recover is to get back out there and play again and try to get a win.

Q. You were leading late; served for the match. In your mind, was there a physical problem for you at that point? Did you feel tight at all?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think at that point I went for too much. You know, I hit some balls, you know, I think maybe early in the rally. I wanted to stay in control of the rally. I think, you know, maybe just to set the point up a little more instead of go for it too fast. Especially once I got it back to deuce, I think I, you know, went just for the shot too fast.

Q. Why do you think you had a little more success this summer than the last two?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I played better.

Q. Can you point to a reason? Is it a physical reason? Something else in your game? Is there something specifically you've improved?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I think if you watch me play then you're kind of able to make those kind of deductions, what's working and what's not working. Whether it's in my game or physical or not, so... Regardless, everybody's playing well these days. You have to be ready. I mean, the last two points in the tiebreaker she played really flawless tennis. It was a little bit bad luck for me. But she played well.

Q. How great is it to still play with your sister after all these years and still set the bar so high with the level of expectation?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, doubles teams come and go, but we stick together. Why not, though? She plays so well. I think she can rely on me out there, as well. It's a match made in heaven maybe.

Q. The visit from the trainer during the doubles, what was bothering you there? Was that something lingering from earlier in the day?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Just a lot of tennis fast. My fourth match in less than 48 hours. Once you play that much against really competitive players, you know, you have a few things here and there. So thankfully I just was able to continue the match. I really do not like injury timeouts. I just like to keep the flow of the match going. So it was fine.

Q. What consideration did you give, if any, to not playing the doubles, given obviously the demands of singles?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think the doubles always helps the singles really. I think in today's match, when I got to the net I usually volleyed really well. I think just that first-round doubles match really helped that. I felt good at the net. So besides that it helps the singles, it's an important title. That's what I keep saying, is it's a title.

Q. What are your feelings about this summer's performance that you put on and all of what seems a rejuvenation of your game?

VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm just really proud of, you know, the effort that I've made. Sometimes you lose a match. At least if I lose a match it's a rough fight from my opponent. They don't get it easy. So that's something to be proud of, as well. You know, today my errors were out of control. I think I had more than double hers, so that really, really hurt me. I wish I could have controlled that to continue a great summer, but still some big tournaments left in the fall. I'm in the doubles, so I've got a lot to be focused on.

Q. Whenever you catch a glimpse of maybe some footage of yourself when you debuted here with the beads and the cornrows, does that seem like a lifetime ago?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Not really. Time is continuous. No matter what age you are, I think in your mind you still feel quite young. I think that's everyone. In your head you're still very young. I'm still young. For tennis perhaps I'm older, but in life I'm a young person. And that's how I live.

Q. What, if anything, have you proven to yourself with the way you've been playing this summer?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Just continue to always give a good effort and try my best to be prepared. Continue to always believe in myself. Those sorts of things, which are real life lessons. Hopefully inspirational for others, as well.

Q. What do you think your performance this summer says about your future on the tour?

VENUS WILLIAMS: Future's looking bright. You know, I definitely wish I could have taken it further today. There will be others. I think the more I play, the better I'll be. I'll try to remember not to make that many errors hopefully in the next matches. That would be pretty smart. But, you know, credit to my opponent because she didn't make the errors. She played tough. You know, that's what you have to do out there.

OAKLAND, CA, USA - It was a Monday, October 31, 1994, exactly 20 years ago to this day, when one of the greatest legends in women's tennis history - Venus Williams - played the first professional match of her career. It was the start of something very, very big - and she's still going very, very strong.

Williams was just 14 when she took to the court for her first round match at the Bank Of The West Classic, which was held in Oakland, California back then. An unranked wildcard into the draw, Williams beat No.58-ranked countrywoman Shaun Stafford in that match, 6-3, 6-4, and then went on to push one of the best in the world to the limits in the second round - after building a 6-2, 3-1 lead, she ended up falling to then-World No.2 Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario in three sets that day, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

But win or lose that one, Williams had sent a signal that she would be a major factor in the years, even decades, to come. And now, exactly 20 years later, she's proven it - seven Grand Slam titles, World No.1, another slew of Grand Slam titles in doubles and longevity that hasn't really been seen in a long time, reaching four WTA finals this year - winning Dubai - and currently still in the Top 20.

"I didn't think I'd be playing this long," Williams said in Montréal this year. "I see my life differently now. I definitely want to play tennis as long as I can. I think I'm playing for my own redemption, just to prove to myself that I can be strong. I play because I love it and I want to win titles, but I also play for that.

"Young V would have thought, 'You shouldn't be playing at this stage.'

"But Old V says, 'Young V, you're an idiot.'"

Read more about Williams' professional debut in this USA Today feature.

And here are a few throwbacks to October 31, 1994...
No.1 song on Billboard Hot 100 singles: I'll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men
No.1 album on Billboard 200 albums: II by Boyz II Men
No.1 movie at US Box Office: Stargate starring Kurt Russell
No.1 men's tennis player: Pete Sampras
No.1 women's tennis player: Steffi Graf

Venus Williams outslugged Karolina Pliskova to win her third WTA title of the year at the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai and make her long-awaited return to the Top 10.

The final was a hard-fought, hard-hitting affair, with Williams coming out sharper - she raced out to an early 4-1 lead - but Pliskova closing in to 4-all before Williams snuck out the opening set, 7-5.

The second set script was flipped. This time it was Pliskova who had the leads, going up 4-2 and, after Williams got the set back on serve, going up 4-2 in the ensuing tie-break. The Czech even brought up a set point at 6-5 in the breaker, ripping an inside out forehand that barely missed the sideline.

But like she's done so many times on the biggest stages all around the world, the No.1-seeded Williams lifted her game one last time to finally close out the No.3-seeded Pliskova, rifling back-to-back forehand winners - including a huge passing shot on match point - to finish her off, 7-5, 7-6(6).

"Seven weeks here in Asia and now I feel like it's my home!" Williams said afterwards. "I'm so excited to win the first trophy in Zhuhai. All the players felt so welcome here and we appreciated all of the enthusiasm. To see every seat filled for every match, that's all the players and tournament hope for.

"Also congratulations to Karolina. She deserved to win too - I was really lucky to win at the end."

"Even if I didn't make it today, it was a great week," Pliskova said. "Venus played an unbelievable match today. But I'm proud of how I played this week and hopefully we'll have more matches like this."

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam winner and former No.1, has now had her best season in a long time, winning three WTA titles at Auckland, Wuhan and Zhuhai (the first time she's won three WTA titles in a season since 2008) and 41 matches (the most she's won in a season since 50 in 2007).

The Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai is also the 48th WTA title of Williams' career.

And last but certainly not least, Williams will now make a long-awaited return to the Top 10 on the WTA Rankings, the American's first time in the game's upper echelon in more than four and a half years.

"It's a great thing to be Top 10 now with the level of the game, but I'm still very hungry. I'm ready for more," Williams said in her presser. "I've had so many experiences in tennis that I still expect a lot from myself. So I'm very happy to be moving forward, but I also want to continue, and not stop here."

Why is Williams' return to the Top 10 on the WTA Rankings so significant? Here are seven reasons.

Q. You're a five time champion here, yet you were out on Court 18, the smallest of the show courts. Martina Navratilova tweeted that it stinks. Did you feel it was disrespectful?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm not so much into disrespect. I'm willing to play anywhere, any time. Of course, I was happy to be on the schedule. I think if all players have to play outside, all players should have to play outside. There shouldn't be exceptions or any inequality to it. For me, no problems playing anywhere. Anyone should play anywhere.
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Venus Williams second round press conference
Q. When you say that, you mean both men and women?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Exactly, both men and women. I played many times on outside courts. It didn't matter how many titles I had won or what my ranking was at that time. It didn't make a difference whether I played on an outside court or a center court. Like I said, I don't mind where I play. It's just as long as everyone plays on the outside courts, you know.
Q. Are you frustrated that they have taken a step back getting more women's matches on main courts?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's not the ideal schedule for the women. We'd like to see equal amount of matches. We don't want more, just the same amount, that's all.
Q. Could you imagine a five time male champion being on an outside court?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I haven't seen that in the scheduling yet (smiling).
Q. How good does it feel to win two Wimbledon matches in one day?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's not easy out there. Our opponents always play really well in singles, doubles, mixed, any other event that we may be in. There's really never an easy point.
It's nice to know, okay, I can get through these matches against opponents who are playing so well.
Q. The other day you said you feel an infinity inside of you. What did you mean by that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: To clarify, I meant that people in general have this infinity inside of them. None of us feel old. None of us feel unable. We all feel able no matter what age we are. Sometimes the body doesn't agree, but...
At this point my infinity is still agreeing.
Q. Given that great outlook, what are your most specific, if any, hopes for your tennis future and your beyond tennis future?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Tennis future, of course, I want to win. I'm not here to not win. What's the point of being here? It's easier said than done. Everyone's playing well. Everybody plays really well. There's no easy matches.
Of course, outside the court, I'm already doing what I'd like to do with my life. I'd like to see that continue.
Q. Can you elaborate what your favorite activities are that you're doing outside of tennis?
VENUS WILLIAMS: My most favorite activities are hanging out with my family, with my dog. I mean, when you're on tour, you feel like you miss 66% of your life, two thirds of your life, with people you love. It's a big sacrifice. It's a big sacrifice.
I feel like I've missed more than half my dog's life, and now he's nine. There's a big sacrifice. Of course, that's my favorite thing.
Of course, in terms of work and productivity, of course, EleVen, my fashion line, and V Starr Interiors. That's more than enough.
Q. Your success is long running, but today was a big day for a lot of Americans. Where do you see American tennis these days?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Honestly, I haven't seen any result. I've been so busy playing matches. On the court close to four hours today. I have no idea what has happened.
But Americans have been winning more and more matches, which is a beautiful thing. Especially if you come from America, you love it even more.
Q. The other day you mentioned the 2020 Olympics. I don't know if there was any seriousness to that statement. Do you have an end of the road in the back of your head or you're just continuing to do and play and work hard each and every day?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, no exact end of the road. It's hard to think about the end when you're playing well. I don't have any plans on making any comebacks. So when I'm done, I'll definitely lay it down, try to get a life of some sort.
If I'm at 2020 and that's part of the plan, then I'll be there.
Q. Do you think for you it's going to be a retirement of you finish a match and you walk away, or you have a swan song farewell tour?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm not into a swan song. When I'm done, it will be done, yeah.
Q. You made an interesting comment that you learn the most from matches you lose. You said you learned from your loss to Timea at the French Open. What did you learn from that match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I learned I needed to win that match. Losing is never fun, but I try to have a good attitude about it, even when you're on the court. You never know when that loss or that win is going to be you. You have to be at least happy for your opponent because they played well.
I don't like bad attitudes when I lose or anybody else loses. You have to be a sportsman.
I congratulated her on that match.
Q. We got emails about a new top executive coming in at EleVen. Were you involved in that decision?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, I don't know what's out there, so...
Q. On the court, when you're walking out to Court 18, a court you might not be entirely happy to play on, is it tough to focus on that? Any sense of frustration at all?
VENUS WILLIAMS: To make it crystal clear, like I said, I wasn't unhappy to play on Court 11 [sic]. I just want equality for men's and women's matches. That's what I'm unhappy about. I have no problem where I play. I'll play on the practice courts if I need to. I have no problem with that.
Q. In terms of your game and your approach throughout your whole career, what do you think the biggest reasons for your great success have been?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, my gosh. There's never one reason. Definitely hard work. Cannot ever get around it. Natural talent, like, always helps. Thank you, mom and dad. That helps a lot. Self belief is so important. That's huge. No matter what, you have to try to believe, even if it's hard.
Q. What natural talents, what set you apart as a player?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I'm 6'1", so that helps. I'm 6'1" and I'm also not slow. So that helps. There are certain things that you never know what your natural talent is going to be. Other people have amazing hands. Everybody has something that they're good at. That's a natural talent.
Q. Have you been in touch with your mom today, who met Camilla, the Duchess, today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, I don't know what's going on here. I just know when it's time for me to be on court, I try to be there. Anything else, I have no idea what's happening.
That's cool. My mom is a cool lady. So is Camilla.
Q. A little earlier, Madison Keys said she marvels at your serve and always has. What do you think the biggest components of your great serve have been?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I'm 6'1", very long arm (laughter).
But she has an amazing serve, too. I have so much respect for her and her game. She's such a joy in tennis, a fresh breath of air, such a talent. I enjoy watching her play. I enjoy being on the Fed Cup team with her. That was very nice of her to say.
Q. Do you plan on talking to the tournament managers about the court situation or do you feel as if you've done that and they're not listening?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I'm sure that the WTA supervisors have done their best to, you know, try to make the schedule equal. But also the All England Club has to have a culture where they want to have equality, as well. They need to want to pursue that.
I would love to see where we don't have to talk about this any more in the press conference.
Q. I know you love spending time in Italy. What do you love most in Italy?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think just the atmosphere and the ambiance. Also it's beautiful, so... You can't beat it.
Q. What is your relationship with Wimbledon, the tournament, if you had to describe it as a relationship like you have with family or friends?
VENUS WILLIAMS: That's an interesting question. I don't know if I have an answer for that.

Q. How would you describe your day and the result?
VENUS WILLIAMS: My word, what a lot of rain delays. You know, you never know what to expect. Obviously my opponent and I, we were playing under the same conditions.
I can't say that I've ever had a rain delay at match point. Probably not ideal. She handled it well. She played smart.
It was just, I guess, non stop action. It was like a Hollywood script.
Q. What is your feeling about what you accomplished today?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, I mean, at the end, the goal is to be at the net shaking hands the winner. So however you get that done is usually how you get it done. I just want to continue to play as well as I can as every round progresses.
She's a quality player. She played amazing. That was definitely my biggest problem outside of the rain, was her play.
Q. How hungry are you to win another slam title at this point?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Of course, I want to win. There's 128 people in this draw who theoretically are here to win. But you have to do the right things at the right time. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to push myself to be right there.
Q. Does the hunger to win get more intense as each one goes along, as each year passes?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's always the same, I guess. I mean, the players, we all do so much work. You do so much work. So, of course, you want to win. You want to see your work pay off.
I'm not the only one out here who's put in the work.
Q. What did go through your mind when it started on that match point? It was like a Hollywood script in a way.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, there was honestly such a roar in the crowd. I thought, Did someone faint? Are there rats in the stadium?
That actually happened to me once, there was a rat in the stadium. I didn't know what was happening.
All of a sudden the rain came. I thought, Really?
But I felt really confident coming back out at match point. I felt like I could take it. But she played too well.
Q. I was wondering what being able to play at Wimbledon, having had so much success here, means to you? Would you have any advice for kids to come and actually visit if they've never been to Wimbledon, as well?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean, obviously if you have a chance to come to Wimbledon, it can be inspiring. What I always tell kids is I was really fortunate. I had a great team, my whole family, supporting me.
Sometimes you aren't born with that team, but you have to get one around you, get people who are positive and who are there on your side. I always tell people, Build a good team.
Q. Is it typical to have the ebbs and flows that you had during the match with your serve? When you're playing twice in 24 hours, is that what happens?
VENUS WILLIAMS: That was thrice in 24 hours. I don't know, I'm out there trying to do whatever I can. Sometimes it's not perfect. I wish I could be perfect every time.
I try to do more of the good ones and learn from the bad ones.
Q. How different was it for you during the 70 minute wait knowing you might only be coming back out for one point? What did you chat about with your coach?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It didn't feel like 70 minutes. It didn't feel like that long. I felt confident. I felt like I could do it. When it didn't happen, I was like, I just had to start. I really just wanted to return serve in the warmup the whole time. I didn't want to hit any serves. I thought, Just in case. But I felt very confident.
She played a good match. She didn't let down.
Q. Do you take extra pride when you and Serena come through matches like you did today? She won just a few minutes after you. Is there extra happiness in the Williams' household tonight?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, of course I want to see her come through, and she wants to see me come through. So it's all good vibes when both of us have gotten a win.
When one of us has lost, of course there's a sense of loss amongst ourselves and our team. Obviously we're playing doubles the next day, too. You have to, like, get your mind back together so you can hopefully lead the team to another win. That's kind of a unique thing between us.
Q. You said you didn't know what was happening as the rain came down. Did you actually feel the rain or were you so wrapped up in the match point that nothing else mattered?
VENUS WILLIAMS: There was no rain. The crowd was just in an uproar. I didn't understand what was happening. The rain didn't come until quite a few seconds later. She and I were both like, What is going on here? She handled it well.
Q. Can you be satisfied with getting back to the top 10 as opposed to winning a slam? Is it a mutually exclusive kind of thing?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, of course it's nicer to be in the top 10 than not. So, yeah, that's good (smiling). I want to keep going. I don't just want to be in the top 10 or the top 8. I'd like to continue and I'd like to win majors.
But there's a lot of people ahead of me, seven girls ahead of me and thousands behind me that want the same thing. So every day is, like, focus.
Q. Did you see your mom after? How did she handle?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's all too much. It's easier to play than to watch. Watching, it's horrible, I think.
Q. Do you think with that level of drama and entertainment, the schedulers might think again before they put you on Court 18 again?
VENUS WILLIAMS: To clarify, I don't mind where I'm put. I've never had an issue with where I played. I've never once, to any tournament, had any complaints on my court scheduling. That was never my issue.
Q. But you want it to be equal between the men and the women?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Equal between the men and women is what all the women would like. The All England Club is an amazing place, such a wonderful history of women playing alongside the men since the 1800s. So much has happened here. Just want to see continual positive things happen for the women here.
Q. How would you describe the physical and emotional ups and downs of this match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I felt very focused. I mean, in the first set I was up 5 1, then it was 5 All. You have to think, The rain delay worked better for her. I'm coming back serving at 15 30, not ideal.
But, you know, it's intense. I think I've had enough experience to handle it well, don't lose my head too much. But certainly not the easiest of circumstances.
Q. Of all that you've gone through the last couple of years in trying to get back to the stage where you want to be, what is your feeling right now about the status of your game and getting into that second week of Wimbledon?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I just want to get better. When you're an athlete, 'great' is still not enough. You want to be extraordinary and perfect. If you don't reach that, you're not happy. I think every athlete here would say that the serious ones, at least.
Q. You mentioned the history here. You've had a couple of decades in the sport now. Just wondering what you think, as someone who is conscious about those sorts of issues, about equality, what do you think the general arc of progress has been over the period of time you've been in this world?
VENUS WILLIAMS: When I started, there wasn't equal prize money in the majors, so that's been a difference. You see the struggle in other sports outside of women's tennis. You see the struggle in the secular world.
So what we're doing here parallels everything in life. There is always some sort of unequality [sic], but there's also people that want to stand up and speak their voice and fight for what's right.
Q. Are you an optimist about these sorts of things or a pessimist?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm always an optimist about everything. I think people around the world love Wimbledon. The players love Wimbledon. It's a wonderful place. So you feel positive about being here. There's so many positives.
To focus on one thing that's not as positive is not our focus. The focus is to, you know, make everything perfect.
Q. Was there a moment in your career when you went from being kind of young and innocent, to being aware of the politics of tennis and trying to make a difference in them?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think I first went on the Player Council in '98 and have been on ever since. It's been a long season for me. Hopefully the players will keep wanting me to serve on the Player Council. You do have to get voted on. Hopefully they will still want me there.
Q. Sam Querrey is up a set over Djokovic, and 5 1 in the second set. What advice would you give to him?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Keep fighting. Querrey is American. Of course, there's a part of me that wants to see him do well. There's a part of me, too, that likes to see champions win, because I know what it's like to be out there. People come out and play their best against you every time. There's no room for breathing.
So I understand what he's going through.
Q. You just said athletes just don't want to be great, they want to be extraordinary. Many people would say you've had an extraordinary career on and off the court. What do you say?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's been a blessed life, a charmed life. It could have been anyone, but it was me. More than anything, outside of being successful, that sort of thing, is that I've been blessed to live my dream and do what I wanted to do. Not everyone has that opportunity.
So that really is what it's about. I've lived my dream. I've been fortunate enough to achieve the things I've wanted to do, but I've had a chance to do so.
Q. It's been worth being away from friends, family and your dog?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yes, it's worth having no life (laughter). Everybody's got to sacrifice, right? That one's mine.
Q. What role has your experience at Wimbledon played in your living that dream?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Clearly whenever I get out there and play, everyone is talking about, She won this Wimbledon, that Wimbledon. It's played a big role in terms of, I guess, how I would be remembered in tennis history, yeah.
Q. What does that mean to you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It means that I'm trying to add to that. That's what that means right now. I think I'll have a lot more perspective on that when I'm done and I'm watching on TV. I could say, Wow, I won there.
Q. Do you think you're ready to win this tournament next week?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah! Bring it! Of course, I want to win, but I got to beat some people before then. So let me try. Let me try.
Of course, when I walk out there, I'm betting on myself every single time. That's what I have to do.
Q. How is your workload having doubles as well as the singles, the rain delays? At the midway point almost in this tournament, what are your thoughts on the burden of all of it to get to where you want to be?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, if it wouldn't rain, it would be a lot easier, but it's going to rain. I mean, we had some very challenging circumstances at the French Open as well. We want to play the doubles, and that's important to us. As long as we can get out there and do it, we will deal with the challenges.
Q. Your thoughts on your next opponent, Carla? I don't think you've played her on grass before. What do you think that match will involve?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think I did play her on grass once. Wait a minute. Don't remember much. But I think it was on Centre.
Different day, different year. I got to go out there and go for broke again.

Historically reticent when it comes to retirement talk, Venus Williams finally opened up about when she might call it a career.

Appearing on the Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family," Williams said she hopes to play long enough for another opportunity at gold: "I'm kind of targeting the next Olympics [Tokyo 2020], and that's in, what, three-and-a-half years ... and I'm not counting!"

Williams, 36, finished this season ranked No. 17 and won one title, in Taiwan. She played surprisingly well at the majors, highlighted by a run to the semifinals at Wimbledon and the fourth round of the US Open.

Despite a lackluster fall, Williams was steadfast in her belief that she can still compete on tour. After a heartbreaking, third-set tiebreaker loss to Karolina Pliskova in New York, Williams spoke of the positives she took from the season.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," she told the press. "I definitely have the will, so I think I will keep finding the way. I feel like I'm going to get more [wins] as the future goes on."

Five years ago, Williams was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that causes debilitating joint pain, swelling and numbness. She saw her year-end ranking plummet to No. 103, and Williams was more or less an afterthought on tour.

Still, she refuted any retirement rhetoric and began to play regularly -- with encouraging results. A year ago, she won three titles, her most in a season since her halcyon days in 2008. Williams is a seven-time Grand Slam champion, and her 49 career titles rank ninth all time.

If she does indeed compete on tour until the 2020 Games, she will be 40 years old. She is a four-time Olympic gold medalist (one singles and three doubles with sister Serena). This season, after falling in the first round in singles and doubles in Rio, Williams teamed with Rajeem Ram to win a silver medal in mixed doubles.

, Australia - Venus Williams is through to her first Australian Open semifinal since 2003 without dropping a set after powering past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-3, 7-6(3).

"It's wonderful to be here to start the year out with this," an emotional Venus said told the crowd on Rod Laver Arena. "I want to go further! I'm not happy just with this, but I'm just happy to be in the position to go further."

Venus was made to work for every point by the No.24 seeded Pavlyuchenkova, who was into her first Australian Open quarterfinal and looking for a career-first Grand Slam semifinal appearance.

Pavlyuchenkova punished Venus' vulnerable second serve throughout the match, and the American found herself trailing down a break twice in both sets. But the experience of the seven-time Grand Slam champion showed in the big moments, and she broke back each time as Pavlyuchenkova faltered.

"I just think I wasn't fresh enough to really go for the serves," the Russian explained later in press. "I knew that I had to serve good because she's very aggressive on the baseline and return. I was kind of putting a bit of pressure on myself on the serve. That's why the percentage went low."

Venus stayed aggressive throughout the hour and forty-seven minute affair, hitting 35 winners to Pavlyuchenkova's 17 and striking 29 unforced errors against 32. She was a force at the net as well, winning 81% of the 16 points finished at the net.



The victory is Venus' 50th win at the Australian Open, and, at 36 years and 221 days old, she becomes the oldest player to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since Martina Navratilova in 1993 Wimbledon (36 years, 259 days).

"I have a lot to give to the game," Venus said in her post-match press conference. "I feel like I have a lot of great tennis in me. So any time you feel that way, you continue.

"Why not? I have nothing to lose, literally."

Venus will play the unseeded CoCo Vandeweghe for a spot in the final after the American knocked out No.7 seed Garbiñe Muguruza in straight sets.

"To have that thought that there's going to be at least one U.S. player in the final is great for American tennis," Venus said.

"I'm sure she's going to want to be in her first final. I'm going to want to be in only my second final here. So it's going to be a well-contested match."

- 2003 finalist Venus Williams is back into the Australian Open final for the first time in 14 years after coming back from a set down to dispatch fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion celebrated Australia Day in the best way possible, notching a , 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4 victory to reach her second final in Melbourne Park.

"It means so much to me, mostly because she played so well," an emotional Venus addressed the crowd at Rod Laver Arena. "She played so unbelievable and I had to play defense the whole time, it feels like.

"There was never a moment of relaxation ever, so to be able to get to the final through a match like this… I'm excited about American tennis!"

Vandeweghe, whose power game suited perfectly to the faster court speeds of this year's event, was enjoying her maiden Grand Slam semifinal appearance after a commanding run, which included a straight-sets stunner against World No.1 Angelique Kerber.

But she was out of her depth against the 36-year-old Venus, who relied on her veteran experience to allow Vandeweghe to take advantage of just one of her 13 break point chances.

"I don't think I was totally freaking out or anything close to that when I came out there," Vandeweghe reflected later in press. "I was pretty set on competing and working hard. I think it showed in kind of the tougher points and tougher moments.

"As far as not playing as well as I could have, it goes along with tennis. You're going to have good days and bad days. You just have to adjust as best you can."

The younger American's lone break of serve came in the very first game of the match, where she had Venus under pressure from the start. But the lead didn't last very long, with Venus jumping on some second serves and a double fault - the first of 11 for Vandeweghe - to wrench back the advantage.

The pair stayed on par to take the set into the tiebreak, where Vandeweghe found her dictating form once again and Venus, while not making too many missteps, was left to react. Vandeweghe crushed a Venus second serve with a backhand down the line and took the tiebreak, the first set Venus had dropped in the entire tournament.

Venus was right back on track in the second set, though, switching gears to target the vulnerable Vandeweghe backhand and reel off five straight games for a 5-1 lead. The younger American didn't cede an inch, bringing up four break points in the marathon, seven-minute seventh game, but Venus stayed in front.

The 36-year-old stayed the course in the third, breaking twice and, after two hours and thirty minutes on court, advanced to her first Grand Slam semifinal since 2009 Wimbledon.



With the win Venus becomes the oldest Grand Slam finalist since Martina Navratilova at 1994 Wimbledon, and the 14 years between this and her last Australian Open final appearance sets a new Open Era record.

Awaiting in the final is younger sister Serena Williams, who blew past Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in straight sets to book the first all-Williams final Down Under since their 2003 meeting.

"When I'm playing on the court with her, I think I'm playing the best competitor in the game," Venus said in her post-match press conference. "I don't think I'm chump change either, you know. I can compete against any odds. No matter what, I get out there and I compete.

"[It] won't be an easy match. I know that it won't be easy. You have to control yourself, then you also have to hopefully put your opponent in a box. This opponent is your sister, and she's super awesome."

Q. What is your overriding feeling, emotion, on this whole two weeks, and especially how it ended tonight?

VENUS WILLIAMS: It was great to have an opportunity to play for the title. That's exactly where I want to be standing during these Grand Slams, is on finals day, having an opportunity. That's the highlight of all this, is to be in that moment.

Q. How did it feel being back in a final? Did it feel like riding a bike or did it take adjustment?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't know. I don't think I felt at all awkward. I felt ready. I mean, I haven't played in a final for a number of years, but I don't think it's something you forget. I mean, I played a good amount of 'em, so...

Experience was right there for me.

Q. Early on in the match, there seemed to be a lot of errors on both sides of the court. Was it the sense of occasion or because you were playing each other?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think just in general we go for a lot, so there's going to be some errors. There's no counter-punching. There's no pushing. There's just aggression. You're going to see some great shots and at times you're going to see some errors. But those errors are very close. They're near-misses.

Q. Is it a weird feeling to be so happy for your sister but disappointed that you didn't win?
VENUS WILLIAMS: No, because I guess I've been here before, you know. I really enjoy seeing the name 'Williams' on the trophy. This is a beautiful thing.

Q. Execution-wise out on the court, what do you think would have made the difference for you? It felt like a few points here or there might have swung it back your way.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I feel like I had opportunities, for sure. Just missed some shots. But it's not like I missed shots that I wasn't going for. I went for those shots. It's a matter of inches.

So, you know, some errors here or there can mean the difference between a break of serve or a hold.

Q. You seemed very emotional when you had your speech. Serena did, too. Was this final special in any way if you compare it to the other eight you played each other?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I think so 'cause Serena's been in a lot of finals, but I haven't been able to, you know, be there as much as she has. To have this opportunity to play against each other again, and to be able to rise to that occasion, was quite momentous.

Q. You spoke about it on court, but a comment about Serena reaching 23.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, it's a great number. I know she would like to have a little more. Who wouldn't? It was a great moment. I'm very happy that she's been able to, you know, get to number 23 because there's 22 ahead of that that she also earned, and she earned it.

Q. How different is Serena as an opponent now than she was from what you remember when you were playing each other more often? Anything seem different across the net?
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's always changing. But I think more than anything you have to have the confidence to win these matches. At the end of the day, whether it's now or then, she has the confidence to do it.

Q. What's the thing or two that makes your little sister so special both as an athlete and as a person?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, she's a champion. She's a champion on the court. She knows how to take it to that next level. Then off the court, obviously she's an amazing person, an awesome sister. I couldn't ask for much more.

Q. Do you have a lot of fun with her?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, of course. Hello.

Q. Will you have a lot of fun with her tonight as well? Go out and celebrate?
VENUS WILLIAMS: What time is it?

Q. 10.
VENUS WILLIAMS: It's been a long tournament, my God. I don't know what our plan is. Whatever it is, we'll do it together.

Q. What does this fortnight mean to you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: A lot of great performances, you know. I didn't lose a set until the semifinals. Played against a lot of players who were in form. So it's a good thing.

It's a great start to the year. I'm looking forward to the rest of year. This is like tournament number two and it's already a lot of work. I'm looking forward to tournament number three and four. It's going to be awesome.

Q. How are you feeling physically? Are you still confident you're going to have a great year?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I just totally said that in that last question. Ready to kill it this year. That's my goal. Who goes into the year and says, Oh, my God, it's not going to be a good year? Who says that? Not me.

Q. Is Fed Cup or Indian Wells next for you?
VENUS WILLIAMS: There will be no Fed Cup for me at the moment. It's been a tough week, tough week. I adore playing Fed Cup. It's such an awesome experience to be on a team.

But also at this stage in my career, it's very challenging to add extra weeks. To me it's about an endurance race now, so I have to be very careful about that.

Yeah, you know, there will be other times. Ties that are closer to Florida, yeah.

Q. Does this result fuel the fire? Do you leave feeling even more amped for 2017? Were you already at max amp before you came into the tournament?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Of course I feel motivated to continue, to continue to go out there and hit the ball the way I know I can. There's only things I can improve on, to be honest, and to build on.

I feel I played very well this week, pulled a lot of things out of my pocket. I got more stuff in my pocket. Get it out.

Q. Did you surprise yourself in these two weeks?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I've been playing pretty solid in the slams for the last couple years, so no. Duh.

Q. Did you see the video of your celebration after the last match?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I tried to contain myself. It was so hard. That was me containing myself (smiling).

I got to be honest, I get really, really, really happy. I'm one of those people that I don't cry, I just start laughing. That's how I live my life.

I didn't want to be in anyone's face with that at all. It's just you have to enjoy your moment when you get it.

Q. In terms of your relationship with Serena, is being a protector an important part of your sister relationship with her?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Oh, we totally protect each other. So it's a part of our relationship, it's symbios [sic]. That's us.

Q. If people say that you and Serena are the greatest story in sports all time, what is your reaction to that?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I don't think we're going for the greatest story in sports. We're just going for some dreams. In the case that we are, what an honor, what an honor.