No matter how you feel about 30-year-old Serena Williams, chances are, you feel something. Good or bad, you have an opinion. And you’re entitled to that, the decorated, entertaining, any-adjective-but-boring Grand Slam winner said yesterday in Charleston, where she’s playing the Family Circle Cup. Tonight, in her first match, she’ll face last year’s runner-up, Elena Vesnina. We talked to Serena about topics pertaining to tennis balls and tennis courts, not to mention dancing, critics, catsuits and God.
If you had to give a junior player two tennis tips what would they be?
I would say to have fun and to work hard.
People speak of Martina Navratilova’s volleys, Steffi Graf’s forehand, Martina Hingis’s mind. What do you consider your signature shot or skill?
I don’t know—I think I have more than one. I have a good serve, and I’m never giving up.
You’re on the Players’ Council. What are some of the issues you’re interested in right now?
Right now we’re working on Fed Cup and Olympics and how many times you have to play Fed Cup to qualify for the Olympics. So that’s one issue. And always just keeping the players healthy and stuff like that.
Tennis Channel recently ranked their Top 100 players of all time. Have you heard about that and where you’re ranked?
No, I’m not really watching too much of that.
You were No. 14. What are your thoughts on that ranking?
I don’t think about that kind of stuff to be perfectly honest. I don’t really care about who’s No. 1 and who’s No. 100. I just don’t think about that for the most part.
In Miami you said you don’t get enough credit for being a nice person and professional competitor. I believe it, but what are some examples you have in mind?
I think I used the example that I’m always congratulating the opponent when I lose or acknowledging when they hit a good shot. I do it out of sportsmanship, not because I’m trying to get credit or anything. I don’t do things for credit. I do things because that’s just who I am. You know, I win fair and square.
You can be tough on yourself if you feel you didn’t bring your A game. Can you think of a few matches where you thought you played near your best?
Not off the top of my head. Sometimes I might not play the best, but I definitely always give it my best.
Last week you said you expect to enter three events at the Olympics and win a medal or two. Three events, just one or two medals? Don’t tell me you’re getting less ambitious in your 30s…
No. I’ve actually just never played three events. It’s going to be pretty hard to do. I’m not even sure if I can, so we’ll see. But I mean, obviously I don’t want to sound cocky, too cocky.
Last week you responded to a guy who suggested you should quit tennis by saying you’d never quit. What’s the secret to dealing with critics, especially unpleasant ones?
My thing is just to be positive, whatever people say. I feel like everyone should have their opinion, whether they’re a critic or a positive person. Everyone’s entitled to whatever they think. It’s a free-thinking world. Go for it. I don’t let it bother me too much—that’s kind of how I deal with it.
What’s the nicest thing a fan has said to you?
Every time a fan says “I’m a fan” that’s a great thing for me. Whether they’re saying “I love you” or “I’m just a fan”—regardless, it’s an honor to have people [notice] your job and what you work so hard at every day and congratulate you or thank you for that.
You haven’t worn anything scandalous on court in a while. Any chance we’ll see you in something like that black lycra catsuit again soon?
No, probably not. Unfortunately you have to do things that market retail. I mean, I don’t know. Hopefully I’ll get some more fun things, but we’ll see.
You’ve said Venus inspires you not just in tennis but in life. Can you talk about some specific ways in which she inspires you?
I mean, she does everything great. Everything that she’s been going through, she just stays so positive. She doesn’t let anything stop her or slow her down. She still runs three companies and plays tennis and is in school. If that’s not inspiring, I don’t know what is.
What’s the best advice your parents gave you?
I don’t know, because I must not have listened. (laughs) I know my mom’s advice is always just to stay close to God, and I think that’s the best advice anyone can give you. Actually my dad always says that too.
Did you watch Martina Navratilova on Dancing with the Stars?
I saw her first dance. I thought she did a really good job.
Could you see yourself going on the show one day?
I don’t really dance that type of dance, so I don’t know.
If you could interview anyone who would it be and why?
Nelson Mandela. Who wouldn’t want to talk to him? I mean, honestly he’s been through a lot.
You have a lot of interests outside tennis. Still when you eventually retire do you think it will be tough to say goodbye?
Yeah, for sure. I’m not even thinking about leaving tennis though.
Bobby Chintapalli is a frequent contributor to TENNIS.com and will be attending the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.