Serena Williams won a double Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon yesterday, just like her big sister Venus did last year.Serena added the women’s doubles title to her singles title after teaming up with Venus to beat Australians Rennae Stubbs and Samantha Stosur 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Earlier Serena defeated Venus 7-6 (3), 6-2 in singles to win her third Wimbledon title.Serena was asked a series of questions at the press conference about being ranked number two in the world behind Dinara Safina, a player who has never won a Grand Slam.
Q. How much of a motivation is it for you to try and regain the world No. 1 ranking?
SERENA WILLIAMS: You know, I'm not super motivated. 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 (laughter).
Q. Does that disappoint you?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No. If it did, I would go crazy just thinking about it. I think anyone really could. That's just shocking. But whatever. It is what it is. I'd rather definitely be No. 2 and hold three Grand Slams in the past year than be No. 1 and not have any.
Q. Do you see yourself as No. 1?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I see myself as No. 2. That's where I am. I think Dinara did a great job to get to No. 1. She won Rome and Madrid (laughter).
Q. How satisfying is it to have played as much as you've played this year, perhaps more than other years, and here you are sitting holding three Grand Slams? It's kind of annoying for the other girls, isn't it really?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I feel like I've played a lot this year, and I've really been paying the price. For several years now, at least three or four years, I just really wanted to focus on tennis, and I've really been doing that. I feel like, you know, this is where I want to be, and this is my chance to capitalize on everything.
I really enjoy it. I even started playing more doubles because I enjoy being out on the court so much. I think it's pretty much all paying off.
Q. We all know the slams are the key events in our sport. Do you think someone somewhere should sit down and maybe tweak the ranking system a little bit so we don't have this problem?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Uhm, I mean, maybe if I'd have done better at the French Open, like got to the semifinals, maybe things would have been different. But, uhm, honestly, I'm not picking on anybody. Everyone works hard.
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.
Q. With all due respect, we're just talking about the system on paper the way the computer works. Do you think that should be changed?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I don't know what can be changed. I feel like I've had a pretty consistent year, though, you know. I haven't lost too early. I got a little injured, but I fought through it. So it's been pretty consistent reaching at least the further rounds of different events.
But I don't know what to do to be No. 1. I don't even care anymore. I'm just happy to be here.
Personally I don't understand why some people regard her statements as cocky, and even if she does, Serena has every reason to be.
Regarding about the Nike t-shirt she was wearing at the press conference, here's what Serena said.
Q. May you tell us a little bit more about that shirt. Did they prepare it before and then you choose it, or they tell you afterwards and you say you like it or I don't like it? If you had lost, was there another shirt, or that was for your sister?SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, this shirt is available in Nike stores, if you guys want to go (smiling). If you want to go get one, everyone can have it. I've been wearing it a little bit this week. I thought last night when I was getting my stuff together, I thought, Well, if I win, I'll wear this 'cause I'll have 11 titles, and I wouldn't know if you guys were looking at my titles or my Gatorade bottle.
And there was ‑‑ yes, there was another shirt if I didn't win.
Q. Which would have said what?
SERENA WILLIAMS: It was just a Nike shirt.
(Images by Getty Images)
