She digs music, is commitment-phobic, and wants to know who stole her sticker collection. It's Venus Williams unplugged.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS
Any advice for dating?
“Oh God. Try not to get too serious when you’re young. Just have fun. Don’t commit. Be chaste.”
What are your thoughts on dealing with peer pressure?
“There is peer pressure out there, but try to tell yourself that here isn’t. What really matters is what you believe in and what you’ve been taught. You have to make the best decisions based on your future, not just the moment.”
Many college and junior players struggle to balance tennis and academics. Thoughts?
“School comes first. If you have a ton of homework, you need to do it before you get out on the court. If you’re tired and don’t want to play, tell yourself that you have a lot of homework. That way you can get a day off [laughs].”
Junior tennis is intense. How did you keep it fun growing up?
“I think my dad kept it fun. He always told us that our game plan was to go out there and have fun, stay relaxed, and he still tells us that. [Growing up] I was so oblivious. I never got nervous. I went out there and played. If you’re a junior, you have to realize now is the time to build your game. It’s not about who wins the most junior championships because no one remembers that anyway.”
What advice would you offer someone who hopes to turn professional?
“Believe that you’re a pro already. Act the part. Act like, ‘I’m just training to get there, it’s going to happen.’ As long as you work hard and stay positive, you’ll get there.”
You and Serena know plenty about what it’s like playing against a sibling. How do you deal with the pressure?
“Leave it on the court. Try to be an adult or functional human being, and if you have some problems, talk about them with your sibling if you can or, if not, with your parents.”
You made your way through the juniors without playing many tournaments. If you had a kid, would you have him or her follow the same path?
“I don’t know what I’d do with a kid. I’d hope I wouldn’t mess him or her up [laughs]. If I had a kid playing tennis, it wouldn’t be a joke—he or she would have to be training very hard just like I did.”
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!Venus and Serena Williams
What kind of films do you enjoy?
“I like movies that just tell a story. I don’t like explosions or special effects. I can do without it. When I walk out, I like to feel good.”
Favorite movies?
“I love Tommy Boy. I just like to laugh. I don’t like to be in there too nervous because you don’t know what’s going to happen or who’s going to get killed. Scary movies are fun, but I get so nervous. Like Urban Legend. I was so frightened watching that movie. I love Adam Sandler movies, especially the early ones like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore.”
You’ve always lived your life doing your own thing—very punk rock. Do you enjoy that kind of music?
“I’m kind of like indie-underground girl. My other sister Lyn and I are always hanging out in L.A. Lyn and I both love music. She’s a musician and a singer-songwriter, and I play the guitar. Serena [can play guitar] but refuses, so I have no one to play with on the road. Serena has some skills but I’m much better than her.”
You travel with a guitar?
“Most of the time, yeah.”
What are your all-time favorite music groups?
“U2. I went to see them in London. It was overwhelming. Green Day, of course. I grew up on them. I was crazy over Kris Kross back in the day, but that’s like an 11-year-old thing. I love Beck.”
The WTA guide says you have a sticker collection. What kind of stickers do you have?
“The sticker collection has been at large for over five years. Ever since I moved out of my parents’ house I couldn’t find it. It got lost during the move. I used to have a lot of Tweety Bird stickers, and I loved frogs and hearts. Ever since I lost my sticker collection I haven’t had the heart to get another one. Five long years. It’s been tough.”
Pretend you’re giving us a tour of your house. What would be the highlight?
“Probably the TV room because that’s where we keep all of our trophies. They’re crowded in a case. I’m jealous of Serena’s French Open one. I secretly look at it.”
You own an interior-design business, V Starr Interiors. If you could design one celebrity’s house, whose would it be?
Mine! My house never gets any work and needs it badly.”
What would a typical Venus Williams–designed room look like?
“It depends because people come at you with all kinds of stuff. You have to be able to adapt to what they’re all about and be able to understand it. Most people don’t really know what they want. Some people do. But with a lot of people you have to figure it out for them. And then they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s just what I wanted.’”
You’ve also said that after tennis you want to take up choreography and music production.
“If I ever get the chance, I’d like to do choreography for music videos or dancers on tour—things like that. I love dancing. Lyn is the best dancer in the family. I try. I’m a close second. I’d also like to be a writer when I’m done with tennis.”
You obviously feel it’s important to be well-rounded.
“For me it’s important. Some people are happy being in one line going in one direction. But I’m heading down many different paths.”
You’ve always had an elegant fashion sense. What’s the key to looking good?
“If you don’t look good on the court you won’t play well. It’s as simple as that. All of the top players look very good on the court. Looking good transfers over to your first serve.”
What about dressing for a big date?
“Plan your outfit and your hair the day before. It takes me three hours to prepare. If I don’t plan, I panic.”
You play with a pretty powerful racquet, the Wilson n4. How important is equipment to you, and what do you look for?
“Extremely important. I’m always very willing to change my equipment because I feel like it’s all about me, and the equipment should enhance my game. The n4 is awesome. It has a lot more control and more power than the previous racquet I was using.”
PARTING SHOTS!Venus Williams
Hottest actor?
“I’m going to go for Djimon Hounsou. He was in Amistad. I love him. I like Ed Norton, too.”
Favorite actress?
“Who was in The Long Kiss Goodnight? I don’t know why, but I love her—Geena Davis. I also like Andie MacDowell.”
Favorite junk food?
“I love Hostess cherry pies and Sno Balls and anything like Willy Wonka and gummy-type stuff.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
“Hopefully I’m not fat and struggling to wear Lycra. How old will I be? 35. I’ll probably be retired, three years already. But before that happens, I want to make two more Olympics. That’s my goal. My game is improving, so I don’t think it’ll be that tough—unless something dreadfully awful happens.”
Do you plan on getting married and having children?
“I don’t know if I’ll be married and have kids. It’s so hard to commit. I’m one of those girls who’s like a guy—I’m not clingy. I also see myself having several businesses. And I want a degree in international business. I want to be the girl who points fingers and oversees the financials. And I want to have a house with Serena in Coldwater Canyon [in Beverly Hills].”
What’s the one thing that frightens you most?
“I don’t have anything to be afraid of. I think the biggest thing is to have fear. It will hold you back.”
So you fear fear?
“Yes. I think that’s the worst thing to have. My mom always told me that fear is the devil.”
Best childhood memory?
“I used to love going to amusement parks. Knott’s Berry Farm [in Buena Park, Calif.] was my favorite. Now I like to go but I don’t ride. I just eat as much as I can.”
What sports star do you most look up to?
“I’m going to go for . . . Serena Williams. I really admire her. She’s amazing. She’s always had a champion’s heart. I don’t think I’ve always had a champion’s heart. I learned to get one for many reasons I won’t get into. I found that I was a lot stronger than I thought. [Last year] I probably couldn’t have won Wimbledon if she hadn’t won the Australian Open. Seriously.”
Coolest celebrity you’ve ever met?
“You know who was really cool? That English actor, Hugh Grant. He was really laid-back. But I’m not star-struck. With most people, I stay out of the way. They probably don’t want to be bothered. I’m kind of shy so that doesn’t help. But if Serena wants to meet them, then I’m on a mission. I’m like, ‘I’ll get them for you.’ Anything for my little sis.”