Venus Williams speaks out about her upcoming schedule on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour – and why she has decided to pass on competing at the Fed Cup semifinals in Moscow, Russia.
Q. Lindsay said yesterday you’ve told Zina you’re taking a pass on the Fed Cup. What went into that decision making?
VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, I’ve tried to support Fed Cup as much as I could these few years, but sometimes I just get tired. Moscow’s a long way, and I’ve had quite a few long trips already this year.
I’m going to be playing Amelia and Charleston, so I just couldn’t play five weeks in a row.
Obviously, my commitment to the tour is very important to me also, so I just can’t do everything.
Q. But do you have Beijing in your game plan?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, yeah, definitely. I’m planning my summer around the Olympics and the US Open.
Q. The last time you went to Moscow to play Fed Cup you were pretty exhausted emotionally possibly as well as physically. Why did you go? Was it out of respect for Zina?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I definitely went for Zina, because I really like her as a person and respect her. I definitely lost one of those matches because I was just mentally gone. It was tough.
I bounced back and won the next one real easy, but I definitely needed to win my matches and, you know, didn’t work out that time. We came close in Vermont. We’ve had some tough ties and some good ones too, but unfortunately I won’t be there for this next one.
Q. What is your schedule going to be around the French Open, Wimbledon time? And will you be replicating what worked so well for you last year?
VENUS WILLIAMS: I know. I better have. I’ll be playing every point exactly the same way for Wimbledon. But I’m just going to play in Rome, French Open, and Wimbledon. That’s it.
Q. Do you think you’ll go home between the French?
VENUS WILLIAMS: Yeah, I’ll go home.
To read Venus Williams’ complete interview on March 30, 2008, please visit ASAP Sports.
