Venus Williams defends Dinara Safina from journalists
Venus Williams demolished world No.1 Dinara Safina 6-1 6-0 in Wimbledon semifinals, but in press-conference the American seven-time Grand Slam champion showed great respect for her opponent, and defended both the Russian and the state of women’s tennis in general.
Here’s an extract from the interview:
Q. This isn't your fault obviously because you played really well, but it's embarrassing for women's tennis to see the No. 1 destroyed in that way, isn't it?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Why do you put it like that?
Q. You played very well.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Are you trying to be down on women's tennis?
Q. I'm trying to be down on the way that Safina is the world No. 1 representing women's tennis.
VENUS WILLIAMS: So you're trying to be down basically.
Q. Not on women's tennis, no.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Okay, because I don't deal with down at all.
Q. It's not down.
VENUS WILLIAMS: I'm just making sure you're not trying to be down, because I respect Dinara Safina immensely, and I think you should, too.
Q. I do.
VENUS WILLIAMS: Thanks.
One more think that could defend Safina is that Venus was playing on grass, her favorite surface, which is not Dinara's favorite surface. On clay, Dinara was the winner over Venus, this year in Rome, in three sets though. (photo courtesy of Life)
This is why I prefer Venus over Serena anyday. Guess who made a sarcastic comment on the WTA Rankings? Well well well, no other than her Venus's sister.
“I think if you hold three Grand Slam titles maybe you should be No.1, but not on the WTA Tour obviously, so… You know, my motivation is maybe just to win another Grand Slam and stay No.2, I guess. I'd rather definitely be No.2 and hold three Grand Slams in the past year than be No. 1 and not have any.
“I think the girl, Dinara, who is No.1, you can clearly see by her physique how hard she works. You can't get anywhere by not doing the best and not working your hardest. So, you know, I'm happy for her. I'm really excited that I won Wimbledon, though, because, like I said, I'd rather win that than not win the Championships.”
Not to mention — this is the second time.
The way Serena put it "I think Dinara did a great job to get to No. 1. She won Rome and Madrid (laughter)," I have to say made me laugh as well. Haha. But I prefer Venus' style much much more.