ROGER FEDERER

Q.  A seventh.  Got to feel unbelievable.  But how different does it feel because of the circumstances around here?  Very unusual today.

ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I mean, I think any Grand Slam final, particularly here at Wimbledon, are unusual.  You never quite get used to it.  Today was unique because of playing Andy.  Obviously, you know, being able to play or finish a match under the roof, I don’t think that’s ever been done before here for a final.  So that’s been different, as well.  And nice, of course.

I know the occasion and how big it was for Andy and myself.  I’m happy I got a victory today, but obviously it was a very, very special ‑‑ I mean, yeah, we’ll talk more about it I guess as questions will come.

Q.  You have a good memories in Wimbledon, seven titles.  Do you feel destiny in Wimbledon?

ROGER FEDERER:  Look, yeah, I mean, I guess to some degree.  You know, of course I feel better here for some reason.  I don’t know why.  But it’s very unique and special in many ways, this tournament.

From the get‑go I really felt sort of I’m supposed to play well here, I guess.  Over the years I’ve been able to keep up, you know, a great run.  Obviously, last couple of years maybe slightly disappointing, but, again, I thought Berdych and Jo both played unbelievable the last couple years against me.

This year I guess I decided in the bigger matches to take it more to my opponent instead of waiting a bit more for the mistakes.  Yeah, this is I guess how you want to win Wimbledon, is by going after your shots, believing you can do it, and that’s what I was able to do today.

It’s special.

Q.  Can you rate this win among all your Grand Slams?

ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I mean, honestly this one hasn’t quite sunk in yet for some reason.  I guess I was trying to be so focused in the moment itself that when it all happened I was just so happy, you know, that it was all over and that the pressure was, you know, gone basically.

I guess that came due to the tough loss I had here last year.  US Open, as well.  A couple tough, you know, moments for me the last couple years, you know, I guess.  So I really almost didn’t try to picture myself with the trophy or try to think too far ahead really.

So now even right now, I mean, there was so much on the line, so I didn’t try to think of the world No. 1 ranking or the seventh or the seventeenth.  So I think that’s going to actually, for a change, take much longer to sort of, you know, understand what I was able to achieve today.

Yeah, it was crazy how it all happened under the circumstances.  Yeah, I played terrific.

Q.  How hard was it to listen to the same questions done in different ways about will you win a Grand Slam again?

ROGER FEDERER:  Well, it didn’t happen the day after I won Australia.  Right then things were great.  Like they will be tomorrow.  Then the day after they are going to go, When is he going to retire, again?

It hasn’t always been like this, the pressers.  I think they’ve been somewhat easier for me since I was able to win here three years ago and since I was able to win in Paris.  Things are much more easy now in the press room.  They’re at peace, even though I understand everyone wants to be the first to have mentioned it or said it first that, Okay, this is the decline.

I also said that I think this is just a temporary thing.  That maybe down the stretch, like with Agassi I guess in some ways, you’ll be happy that I’m still playing a few years from now.  So I see it more as a steppingstone, a period I have to go through as well.  That I’m, you know, going to win 90% of my matches throughout the year, it’s impossible every single year.  So you’re always going to go through ups and downs.

But I knew how close I was for the last few years, and some people didn’t quite see that maybe out of different reasons.  But I knew and I think the belief got me to victory today, and almost two other ones in the last couple years, as well.

Q.  Andy said you were one of the greatest athletes of all time, rating you alongside Pele.  Do you consider yourself that way?

ROGER FEDERER:  Anyway it’s opinions of people, you know.  It’s nice, obviously, having had I’d say a positive effect on the game of tennis in the first place, that I was able to live a dream in the first place, I guess, here in tennis.

And then to represent tennis, you know, across sports has been nice, you know.  Not that I feel like obliged to do all the right things or whatever, but it’s nice to be compared to other sporting greats.

If I can help the game of tennis with the image or with, you know, making it more popular, that’s enough for me really.  I want to leave the game better off than when I came into this great game, which was already unbelievable with the great rivalries we had:  Becker‑Edberg, Courier and Agassi and Sampras.  You name it, there were so many other great ones I must have forgotten.

So I think that, for me, is most important, you know.  And then the other sports, I mean, that’s so different anyway that you can’t compare.

But I drew a lot of inspirations from other great athletes in other sports.  I think like Pete and Edberg and Becker, I don’t know, maybe Jordan, Tiger Woods, you name it, Valentino Rossi.  They inspire me to keep on pushing further.

You know, not just being happy with world No. 1 or being happy with a Grand Slam title, but maybe to reach for more.  Then obviously I have to drive myself.  But you sometimes do need to see someone else do it for a long time so that you feel it is actually possible.

Q.  This title and No. 1 didn’t happen in two weeks.  It’s a process.  Is there a point you can pinpoint when the run up to this actually began?

ROGER FEDERER:  Uhm, wonder when.  Maybe French Open last year potentially.  I played an amazing French Open last year.  I was very close against Rafa in the finals.  And I think did play actually very well here, as well, you know, against Jo.  Things just didn’t turn out well for me here.

I guess it had a little effect on me through Toronto and Cincinnati potentially.  But then again, I did play great as well at the US Open.  Again, unlucky; Djokovic played well, whatever you want to call it.  But things were tough for me there.

So I think it was a time where I just had to believe that things were going to turn around for me, and not just naturally, but work at something.  You know, this is where I did take a long break off.  Mean, I did play Davis Cup after the US Open in Australia.  You know, just took a break.

Because I played a lot of tennis, good tennis, but I wanted to win titles, not just lose in quarters and semis.  I think when I came back to Basel, which was a home tournament, things obviously changed for me to winning ways again, I would believe.

Then the confidence rose as I went to Paris and also to London.  I think this is when I realized a lot is possible in 2012.

Q.  You mentioned Tiger Woods a moment ago.  He’s obviously also trying to regain the major tournament magic which you had today again.  He tweeted that we saw why you’re the greatest.  What are your thoughts on receiving that message from him?

ROGER FEDERER:  Uhm, I didn’t need to get it through Twitter, I got one from himself.  He was very pumped up these last couple days, you know, for me.  He was very supportive.

Yeah, it’s nice, you know, when other greats like this do, you know, believe in me.  They push me further, even in the rain delay basically when they cheer you on.  You know, so it was big.

Yeah, I mean, I wish him the best as well.  He knows that.  Obviously with all these Facebook and Twitters and all this it’s much more public now.

But it feels great, you know, to receive so much support from such great athletes.

Q.  What did he say to you specifically?

ROGER FEDERER:  Just happy, you know.  Whatever.  You can make it up.

Q.  What concessions, if any, have you had to make to age in the last couple years?  Schedule?  Training?

ROGER FEDERER:  Uhm, well, people forget sometimes I do have twin girls, you know.  That has had a massive impact on my life.  My game, I think it’s helped my game more than anything because I think I’m playing some of the best tennis of my life right now, and since a long time now.

But just to be able to juggle everything together has been, you know, a challenge.  And I think you learn from mistakes.  You try to make it work for everyone involved.  Hasn’t always been easy, you know.  I admit that.

But, of course, the victory today is a dream come true today for me and my family, you know, seeing them there.  Yeah, it’s big.

Q.  Did you change your tactics at all after the rain delay?

ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, I mean, I tried to play more aggressive.  Obviously there was a lot of wind involved as well in the first couple of sets.  There was sort of a downwind from the right‑hand side of the umpire’s chair, which maybe makes you play more with the elements and less with tactics at times.

And when the wind is gone you get more back into tactics you know, what you can do, what you can’t do.

Yeah, I tried to take it more to Andy, and I was able to do that.  I think, yeah, I went to maybe fetch victory more than he did potentially.  I don’t know, but I’m happy that closing the roof maybe helped me today, because I wasn’t sure if that was going to help me or not.

Q.  I imagine when you were 22 that you felt like a better tennis player than you were at 18.  I’m curious, how you feel about that now?  Do you feel like you are a better tennis player now than you were than five years ago?

ROGER FEDERER:  I hope so.  God, I’ve practiced so much that I ‑‑ you don’t want to be worse five years later, you know.  (Laughter.)

I feel I have, you know, a great game today.  But then again, maybe there were times I had such incredible confidence that you do pull triggers and you pull off shots that maybe today I don’t because I maybe do play a bit more the percentages.

I know how hard it is, you know, to pull off those great shots and I know how easy it is to miss, so I’m more aware of these things.

But I’m so happy I’m at the age I am right now, because I had such a great run and I know there’s still more possible.  You know, to enjoy it right now, it’s very different than when I was 20 or 25.  I’m at a much more stable place in my life.  Yeah, I wouldn’t want anything to change.  So this is very, very special right now.

Q.  Clearly very emotional for him.  You must have felt for him.

ROGER FEDERER:  For Andy?

Q.  Yes.

ROGER FEDERER:  Yes.  I mean, are you kidding me?  Yeah, I mean, I told him it’s supposed to be easier, this part, than playing the match.  It’s hard.  I mean, I’ve been there, as well.  I think he’s done so, so well, to be quite honest.  Because I see him every day.  I see him, what he goes through on a daily basis on tour.

At Wimbledon I think he handle is it so perfectly, to be quite honest.  I think he’s giving himself so many looks at big titles.  Grand Slams I think is what you guys are focusing on the most.  I really do believe deep down in me he will win Grand Slams, not just one.  I do wish him all the best.  This is genuine.  He works extremely hard.  He’s as professional as you can be.

Things just didn’t quite turn out for him in the finals that he hoped for.  But today I’m sure he got another step closer to a Grand Slam title for him.  I really do believe and hope for him that he’s going to win one soon.

ANDY MURRAY

Q.  Does this one, now that it’s over, feel any different than the other ones?  How did it feel inside?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, yeah, it’s tough.  Every one has been different ways.  You know, today’s pretty hard because, you know, you’re playing in front of, you know, a crowd like that.  You’re playing in front of ‑‑ you know, your family’s there, as well, like your whole family has come to watch.

So, yeah, it’s tough.

Q.  Clearly very emotional.  Can you take consolation from the way you played?

ANDY MURRAY:  I mean, I’d be playing I guess probably the wrong sport if I wasn’t emotional.  I mean, I thought I played a pretty good match.  A lot of close shots, a lot of close games, a lot of breakpoints here and there.

You know, he played very, very well the last two sets especially.  You know, when the roof closed he played unbelievable tennis.

Q.  What was it like, the roar when you came out on court for the first time?  It was amazing.

ANDY MURRAY:  It was great.  The atmosphere was unbelievable, one of the best I’ve played in.  Yeah, that’s really all I can say on that.  The atmosphere was great.  The support was great.  You know, I hope it was a good match, even though obviously I lost.  I hope everyone enjoyed it.

Q.  After all that’s happened this fortnight, how much closer do you feel to achieving your ultimate goal?

ANDY MURRAY:  I don’t know.  You know, it’s tough to kind of assess after you’ve just come off the court.

I’d say that’s the best I’ve played in a slam final.  You know, I created chances.  Obviously went up a set.  You know, it was a long match.  You know, even the last two sets, I still had chances the game where I got broken in the third set.  It was a very, very long game.  I had a lot of game points.

It wasn’t like I gave away bad games or stupid games and stuff.  I played a good match.  I made pretty good decisions for the most part, so I’m happy with that.

I felt more comfortable this morning and before the match than I had done maybe in the previous slams.

Q.  How do you feel the rain break and playing under the roof changed the dynamics of the match?

ANDY MURRAY:  Of course it changed it a bit.  The way the court plays is a bit different.  I think he served very well when the roof closed.  He served better.  I think he’s not lost an indoor match since 2010, so he plays well under the roof.

Q.  The game in the third set that went on for so long, the 19‑minute one with 10 or 11 deuces, could you speak about the fortitude it took to stay in that game and then the challenge of letting it go and moving on?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, it was tough because both of us had chances.  There were breakpoints and game points obviously.  I guess that was the longest game of the match.

Yeah, it was tough, a tough game to lose.  But, you know, I wasn’t disappointed necessarily with the way I played in that game.  Yeah, it was a frustrating game to lose, but I still had chances after that.

Q.  Do you feel that your performance was affected by the fall that you had?

ANDY MURRAY:  No.  No, I don’t think so.

Q.  I appreciate it’s difficult for you to assess someone else at the moment, but given that Roger is back at No. 1 in the world, still winning Grand Slams in record numbers when his greatest rivals are at the peak of their careers, do you think Roger will ever be elevated in the discussion of perhaps the greatest athlete in history, alongside the Pele’s and Ali’s, or what more would he need to do?

ANDY MURRAY:  He’s up there.  Rafa, as well, for me is up there in that conversation, as well.  Both of them have been, I mean, yeah, unbelievable athletes.  They’ve been great for the sport.

And, yeah, he’s still playing amazing tennis.  You know, a lot of people, yeah, have been asking me, Has he started slipping?  Is he not playing as well?  If you look at the matches he lost the last couple years, very, very close matches, matches he definitely could have won.

You know, he could be sitting on 20 Grand Slams if one point or a couple inches here or there.  So he’s still playing great tennis.  I don’t think you get to No. 1 unless you deserve it.

Yeah, it’s a great, great week for him.

Q.  You’ve been asked this many times.  Obviously this fortnight, especially the last couple days, have taken the excitement of all of Britain to a new level.  Can you talk about that achievement and what it’s like to be the driving force of that?  Do you ever wish you were just another Spaniard?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, yeah, I don’t want to speak for any of the people in here, but I know from what I’ve been getting told, some of the stories the journalists have had to write the last few days have been, you know, some of the biggest for them maybe in their career.  They’re getting huge spaces in the newspapers, which maybe tennis doesn’t always get in this country.

So I think, I mean, it’s been a great, great couple of weeks.  I think everyone has handled it very well.  From what I’ve been told, the reaction of all of the press and all of the people that have been watching has been unbelievably supportive and positive.

So it’s been a great tournament I think for tennis, and I’m glad that I’m part of that.

Q.  As disappointing as this is for you, what’s the best that you take out of this entire experience to follow up on what you just talked about?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, I played better this time in the final, and that’s the main thing.  It’s not an easy tournament for British players in many ways, but I think I dealt with all of the extra things away from the tournament pretty well ‑ better than maybe I had done in the past.

Yeah, it was my first time in a Wimbledon final.  I’d never been there before.  I played three semis beforehand.  So I’m still improving, still playing better tennis, trying to improve, which is all I can do.

Q.  A couple days ago you talked about your quest in relationship to that of LeBron James to win an NBA championship.  He last night was tweeting, thanking you for the shout out, that he would see you in London at the Olympics.  I wonder if either you’d heard from him directly or what kind of ongoing inspiration you might have from that?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, I mean, I heard about the tweet.  I haven’t been on Twitter for a number of weeks now.  Yeah, I heard about it and just asked my management company if they could thank him for saying that.

Stories like that, yeah, to me are inspiring.  Kind of gives you that extra bit of belief.  You know, sometimes guys have taken much longer, you know, than others.  I think he said after he lost in the NBA Finals last year, he said that he’s having to go through a lot of nightmares before he reaches his dream.

To me, I think I’m in a similar situation right now.  Yeah, it doesn’t get easier.  When you lose, it’s hard, it’s tough to take, but you need to try and show strength of character to come back from it.  Hopefully one day you get there.

Q.  What did Roger say to you on the court after your speech?  You seemed to laugh there.

ANDY MURRAY:  No, I just said to him, Sorry.  I didn’t obviously want that to happen.  You feel like you’re kind of attention‑seeking or something.  It was not like that at all.  And I knew it before, because they asked me if I wanted to do the interview.  I knew it was going to be hard ’cause I just felt it.

So before I went I don’t know if I wanted to do it, but I tried.  I’ve seen Roger do the same thing a couple times before, so he kind of knows what it’s like.  Yeah, he said that, you know ‑‑ he just laughed.  He said, This is meant to be the easy part, doing the speeches after the match.  But sometimes it feels quite hard compared with playing a tennis match.

Q.  A lot of commentators were saying before this match that this was your best chance ever.  Do you feel like that was the case?  What can you say to people who maybe think that chance is gone for you?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, the chance is gone.  I can’t take today’s match back, obviously.

But was it my best chance?  I don’t know.  It was first time being in a final.  You know, it was good to get there.  I lost to a guy that’s now won this tournament seven times and is No. 1 in the world.  So if that’s your best chance, then…

We’re talking about one of the greatest athletes of all time here, like we’re saying.  Got to put it in context a little bit.

Q.  You mentioned the special atmosphere on court.  Do you have a message for the fans who camped out in the rain last night just to get grounds passes?  That’s devotion, isn’t it?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, it is, like I said on the court.  You know, a lot of the stuff that is said over this period, you know, about there being so much pressure and stuff, it makes such a difference like when you’re on the court and you have, you know, the support behind you and know that all of the people that are kind of in there are wishing you well and wanting you to win.

And, yeah, it’s been amazing.  They’re certainly not the ones that make it hard, you know, to play.  They make it much, much easier, you know.  When you have a crowd like that behind you, it’s a lot easier to play.

Yeah, thanks for the dedication.  Sorry I couldn’t do it for them.

Q.  The emotion you showed on the court at the end shows how desperate you were to get there in the end.

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, well, I mean, ‘desperate’ is maybe the wrong word to use.  But, yeah, it’s something that I worked very hard towards.  I try, like I say, always to improve.  I try and work as hard as I can.

You know, I try and have the right people around me, you know, to give me the best chance of doing that.  Make quite a few sacrifices throughout the year.

Yeah, it means a lot to me.

Q.  Roger dropped the first set, struggled in the second, and he turned the match around.  The roof may have been a factor.  Did you also pick up any changes in his approach, his tactics?  Can you talk more generally about Roger as an opponent in terms of problem solving, dealing with what his opponent is doing.

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, I mean, when we came out after the break he was more aggressive on my serve.  I maybe didn’t serve as well under the roof as I did the first couple of sets.

And, yeah, the second set had some chances and didn’t quite get them.  You know, often what happens is matches change over a couple of points here and there.  You know, maybe if I got the break in the second set it could have been different, or not got broken at 30‑Love up at 6‑5.

But, yeah, after the break he was a bit more aggressive.  And I think because he has excellent timing, so when, you know, there’s no wind or anything under the roof, he times the ball very, very well.  He was able to go for his shots a bit more.  Felt a bit more secure probably.

Q.  How long will you take off now and when do you plan to start practicing?

ANDY MURRAY:  I don’t know.  Until my mind is right.  There’s no point in going on the court until I’m ready to go out there and learn and work hard and do the right things in the gym and in practice because there’s just no point.

So I’ll wait and see how my body recovers after the next few days.  I fell a lot of times this tournament.  I got a lot of bruises all over my body and stuff.  So I need to take a few days off, let everything heal, recover, and then see.

But I won’t be on the court next week, that’s for sure.

4‑6, 6‑4, 7‑6, 6‑7, 6‑3

JONATHAN MARRAY and

FREDERIK NIELSEN

Q.  Johnny, talk about that moment of sportsmanship in the third set tiebreak when you confessed to something no one had noticed.

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Yeah, well, Freddy had a great serve.  I had a sitter on top of the net.  As I hit the volley, I followed through and touched the top of the net.  So basically it’s their point.

Q.  Yeah, but nobody noticed.

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Yeah.

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  They would have been after me.

JONATHAN MARRAY:  We both knew it, so you own up to it.

Q.  Not something you see often in professional sport.

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  Do you see us winning Wimbledon often (laughter)?

Q.  How did you cope with the rain delay?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  I don’t think it was that difficult.  Fred had a bit of an issue with his wrist.  It actually helped us a little bit.  He could find out what it was.  He had an ultrasound to check to see there wasn’t any serious damage on it.

We kind of went back out, he was thinking easier, not as much concerned about it.  Probably helped us.  Nice atmosphere under the roof as well.  We were more than happy really.

Q.  Do you hope Andy Murray was watching and do you hope to have inspired him?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Well, yeah, I suppose so.  Yeah, I’m sure he was watching.  He follows how all the guys do.  We’re friends and everything.  I’m sure he was watching it.

Yeah, if it gives him any kind of inspirational help, I’m sure it would be good.  But I don’t know.

Q.  Can you quite believe that you’ve won Wimbledon?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Not really.  I’ve been saying to Freddy, I don’t feel any kind of different or anything.  I don’t know.  It’s just like winning another tennis match.  I suppose it will take time to sink in.

When I see my friends and family and speak to them about it, over the course of a few days, a few weeks, I’m sure it will sink in a bit more.

Q.  You’ve had some tough times over your career.  You’ve talked about giving it up.  Tonight it all seems worthwhile, doesn’t it?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Yeah, of course it does.  Every kind of sportsperson has injuries I’m sure at a time in their career.  When you’re not really doing so well, those moments you kind of second guess yourself whether you want to carry on or not.

But I felt like I had a bit of unfinished business and things like that, so I’m more than happy to have made the decision to carry on.

Q.  Did you have any sort of expectations at all coming into this tournament?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Yeah, I thought we could do well because, like I said, I just missed out on entry with someone else to the tournament.  I played with Freddy the week before.  I know Freddy well, know his game, and thought we could play well together.

After having a good week in Nottingham a couple weeks ago, I really thought we could do well here.  Obviously I didn’t think we could ever win it, but as the week went on we kept gaining confidence and coming through some tight matches.

You know, your expectations kind of grow a little bit and your confidence grows, and obviously the end result is we got the win, so…

Q.  Have you considered the further implications of your victory, like the ATP Finals in November, increasing your rankings, prize money?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Yeah, every round I won I was kind of keeping the tabs on where my ranking would be because it obviously gets me in better tournaments throughout the year.  In regards to the O2 finals, I’m not sure we’re actually officially qualified.  Still waiting on that.  I’m sure we’ll find out in the next few days.

Obviously, it’s something I’ve always dreamed about playing, especially since it’s at the O2 there in London.  It would be a massive bonus if we could, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Q.  Who were you originally supposed to play with?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  I actually entered with Adil Shamasdin.  We missed out by a couple spots in the entry list.  Yeah, I thought, you know, basically I kind of had an option of who to kind of enter with ’cause there’s a wild card kind of going.

I had a good possibility of getting with whoever I kind of chose.  It was my decision in the end, and I chose Freddy.

Q.  Are you going to give Freddy an equal share even though he had his serve broken in the first set?

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  It takes two to tango.

Q.  What are you going to do with the money?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  I haven’t even thought about that, to be honest with you.

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  Buy you a new kit.  You only have two playing shirts.

JONATHAN MARRAY:  I only have the one.  Just had it washed every day.  Superstition, all that.  I haven’t really thought about it, to be honest.

Q.  You’re both battling against history.  Did that wear on your mind at all?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Sorry, I didn’t get it.

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  Not at all.  Obviously we get bombarded with the facts every time we do an interview because, like you said, it is historical.  If you look at the history books, it hasn’t happened a lot, especially from a pretty small tennis country as Denmark in my case.

It’s something we think about in the interviews when we get asked.  On the court I didn’t think about it at all, not a second.

Q.  1936.

JONATHAN MARRAY:  I wasn’t really thinking about it, to be honest with you.  Just focusing on trying to perform, you know, and trying to prepare well and all that.

Yeah, I didn’t really think about that kind of stuff.

Q.  I don’t know if either of you has a sponsorship contract with a racquet manufacturer or whatever, but if you do, is there a clause that says if you win a Grand Slam title you might get a bonus?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  I actually don’t have a contract, unfortunately (smiling).

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  You can buy some new racquets.

JONATHAN MARRAY:  But Dunlop have been good to me over the years giving me free racquets even when I wasn’t doing so well.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any kind of clause in the contract.

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  I think I have one for singles.  I don’t know if I have one for doubles.

Q.  Is there a message for Andy in there that the last time Britain had a doubles winner was ’36, and for singles was ’36?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Yeah, well, obviously everyone’s hoping for him to win.  He’s come so close in a lot of Grand Slams so many times before.  He’s working hard and he’s right at the top of his game.  I don’t see why he can’t.

Q.  Do you have any Davis Cup ambitions?

JONATHAN MARRAY:  Yeah, obviously I’d like to be part of the team.  But, I mean, they’ve got kind of an established team with Ross and Colin at the moment.  They’ve been doing great, have a great record.  It would be hard to kind of shift them out of the team.  It would be a great honor for me to represent Great Britain in Davis Cup, yeah.

I was on the team in 2004, a few years back now.  But I never actually got to play.  Yeah, it would be something I’d definitely be interested in.

Q.  Does it mean more to you because of your family history here at Wimbledon?

FREDERIK NIELSEN:  I don’t think particularly because of my family history.  It means more because it’s Wimbledon.  Maybe because of my family history I have a different relationship with Wimbledon.  That’s possible.

But I don’t think the fact that my granddad used to do well is going to make it even more special.  I think the fact that it is just Wimbledon, it carries its name by itself pretty well.

I’m pretty sure that the fact that it’s just Wimbledon is enough for me.

7‑5, 6‑4

VENUS  SERENA WILLIAMS

Q.  Venus, how does it feel to be women’s doubles champions?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Oh, wow, it’s amazing.  I was definitely inspired by Serena’s single’s performance.  Obviously it’s wonderful to play on the court with her.  I couldn’t have done it without her, so it’s great.

Q.  You’ve never lost in a doubles final at any of the Grand Slams.  Why is that?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Well, I think a lot of it has to do with the serve.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, for sure.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think it helps.  Serena and I both put so much pressure on our opponents with our serves, and our returns are also, you know, very good.

I think maybe that has something to do with it.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think we just stay really relaxed when we play with each other because we believe in each other so much it helps the other one to stay relaxed.

Q.  Is it more fun than singles?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  It’s definitely more fun.  At the same time, the last thing I want to do is let Venus down.  In singles it’s okay if I let myself down, but I don’t want to let her down.

Sometimes it’s almost a little bit tougher because you put so much pressure on yourself, so…

Q.  Did you feel like you were racing the curfew?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I told Venus on the court like it doesn’t matter.  Regardless, we’re here.  We go longer, we’ll be here tomorrow in this.  Have a nice, late match, it should be fine.

We weren’t really racing the clock, we were just playing our opponents who were playing really tough and really good.

Q.  Venus, can you describe what it was like for you to watch Serena today with what she’s come back from?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, I mean, she hasn’t had an easy road.  You know, things have happened in her life that you can’t predict or control, so it’s hard to be in that situation.  You know, things happen, that you didn’t deserve.

For her to fight through that and come back and be a champion, and not only that, but to have made the finals of the US Open, reached the top five, all these achievements that she’s done, you know, I don’t think anyone else can do is just amazing.

It was definitely emotional.  I was so nervous.  I felt like I was trying to play the match, too.  I couldn’t.  You never miss in the stands.

But she played amazing.

Q.  Were you surprised by the dropshot?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  The dropshot?

Q.  Did you think it was coming?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I was just glad it went in.  It was very exciting, definitely.  She had a worthy opponent.  Agnieszka plays so well on the grass and uses it to her advantage.

Q.  Does she dropshot much in practice?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  She does dropshot in practice.  You know, so, hey, it was genius at the time.  If she makes it, it’s genius.  If she doesn’t, maybe it’s not as genius.  But she made it.

Q.  The comeback is complete.  How scary was that whole time with Serena in the hospital?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I mean, I think it’s all about faith.  I think we all had faith that things have to come out right.  You have to be positive in those kind of situations.  You have to put it away to a higher power.  So I think that’s what we did.

She’s such a fighter, you never say die.  I think positivity really brought her a long way in that.  I don’t think either of us believe that we can be defeated by anything.  Nothing has defeated us yet, so we’re going to keep that track record.

Q.  Serena said earlier today in her press conference that she didn’t know where she would be without you.  What are your feelings about her on that level?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I wouldn’t be doing this without her.  I mean, I feel like Serena was my role model.  I couldn’t have done any of this without her because she showed me how to win.

I think, you know, it was a match made in heaven basically.  We couldn’t have done this without each other.

Q.  Compared to when you first played when you were kids, how much more do you know about doubles strategy and that sort of stuff?  What were you like way pack then?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Man, I remember ‑ sorry ‑ but I remember my dad told Venus to get aggressive at the net.  I don’t know if we were playing together or against each other.  So he was like, You need to be more aggressive (laughter).

So Venus crossed while the guy was serving.  So she ended up crossing on the serve and hitting a volley on the serve.  That just goes to show you her attitude.  It’s so funny.  I think about that all the time on the doubles court.  It’s not appropriate.

But we’ve been playing doubles a long time.  When we were young we played doubles, so it’s been really, really fun.

Q.  Venus, you’re battling a situation yourself now.  What Serena went through, is that any help to you for your own comeback?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah.  For me it’s been definitely a journey.  I’m sure it still will be.  But I’m definitely very inspired by her and everything that she’s done.  Like I said, we’re not into the whole getting defeated thing; we’re into the conquering thing.

For me, I want to try to do the same thing she’s done.

Q.  Do you think this is going to help you in the Olympics?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I fought everything to be in the Olympics.  I mean, really.  I mean, after Rome, I was in tears in the press conference because, you know, I’d come close to making it.  I almost made it.  I fought hard to be in that Olympics.

So for me it was really important to be in the doubles and play well because we hadn’t played in two years.  I think throughout this tournament we were really able to get our doubles game back.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  To feel it more.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  To feel it more.  So that was important for us.

Of course, to win the title was amazing.  Just to be able to be a doubles team again was huge.

Q.  Why was that so important to you?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  My dad made us watching documentaries growing up.  We watched it for years.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  He recorded it.  So it wasn’t like we watched it live.  He recorded it and we always watched the Olympic documentary.  It was so cool.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  He wanted us to play for him, so in the beginning we played because he wanted us to, but it became our dream.  It’s definitely the pinnacle of sport.  People live and die in those Olympic moments with you, so for us it’s about sharing that moment with our country and the world and each other.

Q.  In those documentaries, was there a favorite gold medal moment?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  We watched a lot of Greg Louganis.  We watched a lot of Jackie Joyner‑Kersee.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Mine was Greg Louganis when he hit his head and still came back.  I was thinking the other day how we totally ‑‑ he totally had it on a ‑‑

VENUS WILLIAMS:  ‑‑ VHS.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  He allowed us to watch it.  We didn’t see it live.  It was really cool.

Q.  Do you have any awareness of L.A. or was that ‑‑

VENUS WILLIAMS:  We were far too young.  Far too young.

Q.  Did you watch track and field and think that you could have done that?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I always felt that way about gymnastics if I didn’t get tall.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think we ended up in the right spot.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  You’re right, we ended up in the right spot.

WILLIAMS‑WILLIAMS/Hlavackova‑Hradecka

7‑5, 6‑4

An interview with:

VENUS and SERENA WILLIAMS

THE MODERATOR:  Questions, please.

Q.  Venus, how does it feel to be women’s doubles champions?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Oh, wow, it’s amazing.  I was definitely inspired by Serena’s single’s performance.  Obviously it’s wonderful to play on the court with her.  I couldn’t have done it without her, so it’s great.

Q.  You’ve never lost in a doubles final at any of the Grand Slams.  Why is that?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Well, I think a lot of it has to do with the serve.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, for sure.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think it helps.  Serena and I both put so much pressure on our opponents with our serves, and our returns are also, you know, very good.

I think maybe that has something to do with it.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think we just stay really relaxed when we play with each other because we believe in each other so much it helps the other one to stay relaxed.

Q.  Is it more fun than singles?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  It’s definitely more fun.  At the same time, the last thing I want to do is let Venus down.  In singles it’s okay if I let myself down, but I don’t want to let her down.

Sometimes it’s almost a little bit tougher because you put so much pressure on yourself, so…

Q.  Did you feel like you were racing the curfew?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I told Venus on the court like it doesn’t matter.  Regardless, we’re here.  We go longer, we’ll be here tomorrow in this.  Have a nice, late match, it should be fine.

We weren’t really racing the clock, we were just playing our opponents who were playing really tough and really good.

Q.  Venus, can you describe what it was like for you to watch Serena today with what she’s come back from?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah, I mean, she hasn’t had an easy road.  You know, things have happened in her life that you can’t predict or control, so it’s hard to be in that situation.  You know, things happen, that you didn’t deserve.

For her to fight through that and come back and be a champion, and not only that, but to have made the finals of the US Open, reached the top five, all these achievements that she’s done, you know, I don’t think anyone else can do is just amazing.

It was definitely emotional.  I was so nervous.  I felt like I was trying to play the match, too.  I couldn’t.  You never miss in the stands.

But she played amazing.

Q.  Were you surprised by the dropshot?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  The dropshot?

Q.  Did you think it was coming?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I was just glad it went in.  It was very exciting, definitely.  She had a worthy opponent.  Agnieszka plays so well on the grass and uses it to her advantage.

Q.  Does she dropshot much in practice?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  She does dropshot in practice.  You know, so, hey, it was genius at the time.  If she makes it, it’s genius.  If she doesn’t, maybe it’s not as genius.  But she made it.

Q.  The comeback is complete.  How scary was that whole time with Serena in the hospital?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I mean, I think it’s all about faith.  I think we all had faith that things have to come out right.  You have to be positive in those kind of situations.  You have to put it away to a higher power.  So I think that’s what we did.

She’s such a fighter, you never say die.  I think positivity really brought her a long way in that.  I don’t think either of us believe that we can be defeated by anything.  Nothing has defeated us yet, so we’re going to keep that track record.

Q.  Serena said earlier today in her press conference that she didn’t know where she would be without you.  What are your feelings about her on that level?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I wouldn’t be doing this without her.  I mean, I feel like Serena was my role model.  I couldn’t have done any of this without her because she showed me how to win.

I think, you know, it was a match made in heaven basically.  We couldn’t have done this without each other.

Q.  Compared to when you first played when you were kids, how much more do you know about doubles strategy and that sort of stuff?  What were you like way pack then?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Man, I remember ‑ sorry ‑ but I remember my dad told Venus to get aggressive at the net.  I don’t know if we were playing together or against each other.  So he was like, You need to be more aggressive (laughter).

So Venus crossed while the guy was serving.  So she ended up crossing on the serve and hitting a volley on the serve.  That just goes to show you her attitude.  It’s so funny.  I think about that all the time on the doubles court.  It’s not appropriate.

But we’ve been playing doubles a long time.  When we were young we played doubles, so it’s been really, really fun.

Q.  Venus, you’re battling a situation yourself now.  What Serena went through, is that any help to you for your own comeback?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  Yeah.  For me it’s been definitely a journey.  I’m sure it still will be.  But I’m definitely very inspired by her and everything that she’s done.  Like I said, we’re not into the whole getting defeated thing; we’re into the conquering thing.

For me, I want to try to do the same thing she’s done.

Q.  Do you think this is going to help you in the Olympics?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I fought everything to be in the Olympics.  I mean, really.  I mean, after Rome, I was in tears in the press conference because, you know, I’d come close to making it.  I almost made it.  I fought hard to be in that Olympics.

So for me it was really important to be in the doubles and play well because we hadn’t played in two years.  I think throughout this tournament we were really able to get our doubles game back.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  To feel it more.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  To feel it more.  So that was important for us.

Of course, to win the title was amazing.  Just to be able to be a doubles team again was huge.

Q.  Why was that so important to you?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  My dad made us watching documentaries growing up.  We watched it for years.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  He recorded it.  So it wasn’t like we watched it live.  He recorded it and we always watched the Olympic documentary.  It was so cool.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  He wanted us to play for him, so in the beginning we played because he wanted us to, but it became our dream.  It’s definitely the pinnacle of sport.  People live and die in those Olympic moments with you, so for us it’s about sharing that moment with our country and the world and each other.

Q.  In those documentaries, was there a favorite gold medal moment?

VENUS WILLIAMS:  We watched a lot of Greg Louganis.  We watched a lot of Jackie Joyner‑Kersee.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Mine was Greg Louganis when he hit his head and still came back.  I was thinking the other day how we totally ‑‑ he totally had it on a ‑‑

VENUS WILLIAMS:  ‑‑ VHS.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  He allowed us to watch it.  We didn’t see it live.  It was really cool.

Q.  Do you have any awareness of L.A. or was that ‑‑

VENUS WILLIAMS:  We were far too young.  Far too young.

Q.  Did you watch track and field and think that you could have done that?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I always felt that way about gymnastics if I didn’t get tall.

VENUS WILLIAMS:  I think we ended up in the right spot.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  You’re right, we ended up in the right spot.

SERENA WILLIAMS

Q.  Talk about the stress of dealing with that third set, because certainly the match turned around.  If I would have told you 15 years ago you’d be right here with five Wimbledon titles, what would you have said?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I would have believed you, for sure.  I’d be like, All right, cool.

So, I don’t know.  I tried to stay more calm in the third than I had in the second.  So that was my thing.  I just got too anxious and I shouldn’t have been so anxious.

Q.  Why did you get anxious?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  There’s no reason in particular.  I just think that I was, you know, playing aggressive a little more than the first set.  Then I have to give credit where credit’s due.  She started playing really, really well.

She started playing excellent grass court tennis, getting a lot of balls back, and I panicked a little bit and I shouldn’t have.  I usually don’t.  So, yeah.

Q.  Why were you so excited if it’s something you’ve been working on?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  No one hits more dropshots than me in practice.  I’m shocked I don’t hit more in a match.  Every other shot for me is a dropshot.

Today when I hit it, I didn’t even think about it.  I’m going to hit a dropshot.  I thought she was going to run it down, but she didn’t and I was so happy.

Q.  You celebrated because you pulled off the dropshot or because you knew you had the match in hand?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  It was definitely for the match, because I knew I need to break then.  And I knew that if I could break then then I would have two breaks, and that way if I got a little nervous I could serve it out twice.

So that’s what I thought about.  After that, it was, I can definitely do this.

Q.  When you won here two years ago you had an incredible amount of things happen to you, up and down, up and down.  Can you sort of review the low points, the foot and everything, a month ago at the French, then coming back to this high level.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, gosh, definitely had some lows.  Like I said on the court, there was a moment on the couch ‑‑ I didn’t say that on the court.  That’s too much.

There was a moment I just remember I was on the couch and I didn’t leave the whole day, for two days.  I was just over it.  I was praying, like I can’t take any more.  I’ve endured enough.  Let me be able to get through this.

I didn’t give up.  I was just so tired at that point.  I had a tube in my stomach and it was draining constantly.  Gosh, I mean, right before that I had the blood clot.  I had lung problems.  You know, then I had two foot surgeries.  It was a lot.  It was a lot.  I felt like I didn’t do anything to bring on that.  I felt like, uhm, I just felt down, the lowest of lows.

You know, coming here and winning today is amazing because, you know, literally last year I was ranked almost 200.  You know, it’s been an unbelievable journey for me.

The French Open was so disappointing because I won Charleston and I won Madrid.  I did extremely well in Rome.  I was undefeated on clay.  I had a lot of confidence.  You know, when I lost that, that really got me down.

But I stayed in Paris and started training with Patrick, and I think I was really excited for that.

Q.  In the middle of the third set you hit four aces to win a game.  That’s when the wind dropped.  Was the wind bothering you in the second set?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  No, I don’t remember much wind.  So I don’t think that was what bothered me.  I just think Agnieszka started playing much better.  She never gave up.  She just decided she was there to win Wimbledon, as well.

Q.  Have you ever hit four aces in a row to win a game?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I do that all the time now.  I did it in Madrid.  I think I did it earlier in this tournament.  That’s my latest and greatest thing to do, is hitting four aces in a game.  It’s awesome.

Q.  After the match on court when you thanked your family and mentioned Esther as well and said you couldn’t have done it without them.  Can you elaborate on what exactly they did to help you through that emotional time?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, Esther, Val and Isha in particular, and Jill, from the day I got to the hospital until the day I left, they never left the room.  Like they slept there, all three of them.  And they didn’t have to do that.  They didn’t owe me that.

My sister owed me that.  Isha owed me that, but Esther and Val definitely didn’t.  That meant a lot to me.  You know, even though I was trying to keep the spirits up, everyone was making jokes, it’s hard to find people in your life that sleep there every night you’re there.  They’re sleeping on a chair.  I’m not comfortable, but at least I’m on a bed.  They’re sleeping huddled on a bed.

Those are memories that, I mean, I’d rather not endure them, but if you have to endure them, it’s unbelievable to have those people by your side.

Q.  We’ve seen your mentally tough side.  I think we saw your vulnerable side a little bit more this Wimbledon.  Can you talk about that.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Uhm, I don’t know.  What do you mean vulnerable?

Q.  Emotionally vulnerable, letting it out a little bit on court; we don’t see tears that much.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I think when you go through a lot of tough things you just kind of let down your guard a little bit and just be yourself.

I love being me.  I’m a normal person.  I like it when people get to see that side of me.  I’m always crying in movies.  I was actually crying the other day watching Desperate Housewives.  So maybe I should stop (smiling).

Q.  What made you get off that couch?  How can you top this, what you’ve done today?  What more do you want from life?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I remember Esther, she came up to me and she was like, God is really going to help you through this.  He never gives you more than you can handle.  I think she saw that I was really, really, really down.  So that really helped me, or else I would still be there.

Q.  What could top this now?  What more do you want from life?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Are you kidding?  The US Open, the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon 2013, The Championships.

Q.  After the couple of bad years that you fought through, I guess this has to be the beginning of a new good phase rather than the culmination of it.

SERENA WILLIAMS:  It’s the beginning of a great phase.  Nice to have great people around you.

You know, I feel amazing out there.  This whole tournament I felt really great physically.  So I think it’s definitely the beginning of something great.  I hope it is.

Q.  Martina was in the box, Steffi too.  Are they real targets now?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I don’t see why not.  I don’t see why not.

My target is the next tournament, followed by the next slam.  You know what I mean?  I don’t think that far in advance.  Just let me do a little bit at a time.

Q.  People going on about the 30 business, you still have plenty enough years in you?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I have never felt better.  This whole tournament I have pretty much been injury‑free.  I played so much.  Normally I play two events, but this one was different because I played every day, two matches a day for a while.  I haven’t done that in a long time, and I felt great, so…

Q.  Roger was in here yesterday talking about the fact when he was playing Novak, he was flashing back to the US Open, the match point that he lost.  Today when you’re playing, do you have any flashbacks to what happened in Paris?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  No.  You got to let that go.  I let Paris go, you know.  He clearly let it go, too.

I’m not thinking about the last time I lost.  I’m thinking about, This is the time I can win.

But I have never played Novak, so…  I promise you, if I did, I definitely would be thinking about the same thing that Roger’s thinking about, for sure, hands down.

Q.  A moment ago you described the journey to this moment.  How has that journey affected your appreciation of this title in different ways than all of your others?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, each title is definitely special.  This one is super special.  It’s Wimbledon.  I’ve wanted to win here so bad.  Oh, my gosh, I still can’t believe that I was able to come through and win my seven matches, yes.

So each one’s different.  This one obviously is special to me because it’s a huge comeback for me.  You know, I couldn’t ask for anything else.  I really couldn’t.

Q.  How would you describe the way you dominated in this tournament with your serve?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, my serve really helped me throughout this tournament, I think.  I don’t know.  I can’t describe why it was so good or how it was so good.  Like I said, it’s not like I practice it that much.  I just had the rhythm, you know, kind of felt it.

Q.  Roger often talks about Pete Sampras being one of his idols growing up.  Does it mean anything to you that you have 14 slams like Pete Sampras out of 18 finals like Pete Sampras?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Oh, wow.  I didn’t really know that.  Ill really loved Pete when I was younger.  My dog’s name is Jacquie (indiscernible) Pete after Pete Sampras, so obviously I’m a little bit obsessed.

So, yeah, I mean, I didn’t realize it was the same stats.  Clearly my career is not over, so I definitely want to do a few more.

Q.  With this campaign out of the way, with all the trophies you have, how important is the Olympics gold medal singles to you?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I haven’t even thought about that yet.  I was just trying to get through Wimbledon.  You know, it would be awesome.  For me a gold medal’s a gold medal.  I’ve got one, so I’m really happy with it.  I’ve got two actually.

Q.  We’re used to seeing you bounce back quickly from whatever trials and tribulations you’re going through.  Why was this one a longer road and tougher?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Than?

Q.  Your knee injury, and you came back…

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Oh my God, are you kidding me?  Last year I just played Wimbledon and I got to the finals of the Open.  That’s not bad, Doug.  That’s a pretty fast bounce‑back to me.

Q.  Your support team said that God was with you.  What else went through your mind?  What did you do to turn it around and get through it all?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  You know, I got up.  I didn’t just stay there.  I got up.  You know, that’s what you got to do sometimes.  You pray and pray.  I’m a pretty spiritual individual so I’m always praying.  I rely on Jehovah to give me strength.  I definitely couldn’t have done it without my faith.

I got up and I started.

Q.  Can you describe the appreciation you have deep inside being different now winning this tournament than years ago because of what you went through also, but just everything?  Is it a different feeling now?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I don’t know.  I still haven’t believed that I was able to win here.  Maybe that’s a little different.  It hasn’t sunk in.  Usually it sinks in fast.

I don’t know.  I’m also thinking about my doubles match because I want to be able to do well and hold up a trophy there, too.  Regardless, we’re excited to be in the final.

But I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.  I feel like I have another match or something.  Do I have another match?

Q.  Did you model any of your serve on Pete?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I used to when I was younger.  I used to want to serve just like Pete.  But I think my motion changed.  It doesn’t look anything like his.  But I definitely wanted to.  That was the intention.

Q.  How did it change?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I don’t know.  I don’t know.  I didn’t want it to change.  It just kind of became my own.  It became Serena Williams’.

Q.  When you put your achievement alongside Venus’ here at Wimbledon ‑ obviously that’s 10 of the last 13 Wimbledon championships that you two have won ‑ what in your mind is the single kind of defining explanation for what makes the two of you so well‑suited to this tournament?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, we have great serves on grass.  We’re both moving really fast.  I don’t love grass, to be honest.  I always say that every year.  I’m like, Gosh, the grass.  I’m not the biggest grass court player because I always get bad bounces and I’m always complaining, and I hate it when I get a bad bounce.

But for whatever reason I do really well here, so I don’t know.

Q.  Now that you’ve won the singles, do you feel a kind of pressure to want to win the doubles for Venus’ or your sake?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I’m out there, too.  I don’t want to lose, so I definitely want to do the best I can in doubles.  I don’t feel any pressure because, I mean, regardless, I won Wimbledon (laughter).

Q.  How will you feel going into this doubles match?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  No, I feel good.  I’m ready to play.  I got my match outfit on.  Usually I come in with something different, but I’m ready to go.

Q.  So no pressure from Venus?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  No, no pressure, please.

Q.  We talked for a long time over the years about the difficulty of your position of you and Venus having to play each other.  Can you talk about how maybe you’ve lifted each other up.  Would you have as many if Venus didn’t exist?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I don’t know what I would have if Venus didn’t exist.  I don’t even know if I would own a Grand Slam title or if I would play tennis, because we do everything together.  Growing up I copied Venus, everything she did.  She was a real big influence for me.

So when she started winning, I wanted it so bad.  When she became No. 1, I had to be No. 1.  I had to work harder.  I had to do everything in my power to get there.

I have no idea what would happen if she wasn’t around.

Q.  Venus has talked about this, and you have, too.  She’s the older sister and picks you up when you’re down.  She’s been through some tough times recently, too.  Has the relationship changed where you’ve come into more of a supportive role now?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  I definitely do.  I have to be more supportive.  She’s so strong.  I can’t imagine what she lives through every day.  So she’s an incredibly strong individual.  Not only do I feel like I have to be more supportive, I’ve always been pretty supportive, but I also feel like I have to be really understanding even more so and just ‑‑ you know, I don’t know.  I just am so influenced and amazed by her playing and doing so well.  It’s just amazing.

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA

Q. Put your experience out there today in your own words, please.

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Like I said on court as well, these are the best two weeks of my life. When practicing and playing tennis all your life, I think it’s a dream for everyone to be in the final.

So basically for sure I’m just very happy. Of course it’s always disappointing to lose, especially after a tough and good match. But so very happy about my final.

Q. As big and strong as Serena is, is there ever an intimidation factor playing somebody like that?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, uhm, of course every player plays different. But, of course, I mean, she was serving very well today. So many aces and I couldn’t do much about it.

I really had my chances, and I took the second set. Then I think she was just too good in important moments in the third set, so it was too hard for me to come back.

Q. How were you feeling physically coming in? You had some problems the other day. Did it affect you coming into the match? Also, after the first set, what were you telling yourself in terms of putting it all together and getting back into the match?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, uhm, first of all, I was a little bit nervous in the beginning, especially being in my first final. I think I just wanted too much a little bit. I think the break was better for me just to cool down a little bit.

When I was going on the court the second time, I just felt like a normal match. Didn’t seem like a final anymore, so there was not that much pressure.

But then I was just trying to do everything, you know, to play good tennis. And I think was a great match. She was really playing well today.

Q. The second set, it appears like you fought hard. The third one was like you gave up. Did you give up at any stage, it’s over? Did you feel like it was over before it was over?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, this is the final of a Grand Slam, so you fight until the end and you’re not giving up. Even when you’re 6‑Love, 4‑Love, you’re still fighting for every point. There’s always a chance to win. This is tennis, this is sport, so you always can come back and start to play better.

So I was just fighting till the end. And I really tried. But in the end, I think she was starting to play much better. She starts to be very focused each point, play some good rallies. But she really did some great shots in the end.

Q. When you went in for the rain break, what was going through your mind and what did you do to refocus?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: There was not much break between those two sets. But, you know, just change. I think I relax a little bit, like I said before. I was a little bit nervous in the beginning. So I think was just couple minutes of the rest, just to cool down and start over again.

Q. How surprised were you by that dropshot? Then how tough is her serve? She had the four aces.

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: For sure, she was really serving well today. This is the thing I can’t do anything about it.

I mean, second set I think was a little bit more windy, she didn’t put that much first serves, and I could have my chances to break her back. I did it, so was good.

But I think, you know, it’s her weapon, you know, the serve. That’s why, you know, she won the tournament five times already.

Q. Just on the dropshot, were you surprised as everybody else?

AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Well, she has good hands, as well, so she can do those kind of things. Of course, always a surprise because there was not so many dropshots in this match. But she picked a great moment for that, for sure.

ANDY MURRAY

Q.  What were you doing 74 years ago?

ANDY MURRAY:  Not a whole lot.  (Smiling.)

Q.  Okay.  We’ll follow that up with, assuming you weren’t around 74 years ago, how much weight did you feel on your shoulders of this whole thing and everybody rooting for you?  Were you able to put some of that aside?

ANDY MURRAY:  Uhm, well, to be honest, I’ve been trying to explain you don’t really think about it that much, but I think like subconsciously at the end of the match it was obviously very emotional.

Haven’t really been like that before in a semifinal match, so obviously it meant something to me and it was very, very important.

And, yeah, there is obviously a lot of pressure and stress around this time of year.  I don’t, like, feel it like when I’m on the practice court on when I’m just kind of walking around.  I try not to think about that stuff.

But, yeah, in the back of my mind it’s obviously there.

Q.  What is the contribution of Maggie and Rusty to this quest now for the championship?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, I don’t think they necessarily influence the match that we’ll play on Sunday.  Yeah, I mean, I’m sure if you asked Roger what his kids’ contribution are or the people that are around him, it’s something that makes me happy.  I love dogs, and, yeah, they’re obviously part of my life.  It’s something I enjoy away from the court.

When I finish my matches it’s nice to go home.  You know, they don’t care whether I win or lose.  It’s important to have also people around you that are like that, as well.

Q.  What are your thoughts on Roger’s place in the history of this sport and this tournament?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, he’s obviously one of the greatest players ever to have played.  He’s got probably ‑‑ not sure who has a better win/loss record than him here.  I’d be surprised if he wasn’t the best in terms of his win/loss ratio here.

And, yeah, he’s been doing it consistently over a number of years.  The matches he has lost the last couple of years was five sets against Tsonga, five sets against Berdych, five sets against Rafa.  He’s very, very tough to beat here.

Q.  Can you describe the challenge ahead of you?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah.  It’s a great challenge, one where I’m probably not expected to win the match, but one that, you know, if I play well, I’m capable of winning.

But, yeah, I mean, if you look at his record here over the past 10 years or so, yeah, it’s been incredible.  So, you know, the pressure that I would be feeling if it was against somebody else I guess it would be different.

But there will be less on me on Sunday, you know, because of who he is.

Q.  What happened at the start of the third, and how did you manage to turn it back round again?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, I played one bad game, and then after that I thought I played well.  You know, I had a lot of games where I was giving myself chances.  All of his service games I was getting 30‑All, Love‑30, had some breakpoints here and there.  He played some great points.

Yeah, just didn’t get off to a good start in that third set.  Obviously let him back into it a little bit.  He started playing better.  You know, he started serving very well on the big points.

Q.  Can you take us a little bit through the sequence on match point?  It looked like you thought you had it won.  What was happening out there?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, I knew it was in when it left my racquet, and then I thought that he challenged it.  I mean, obviously it was close, but then the umpire said to me that the ball had been called out and that he hadn’t overruled it.

So then obviously I challenged, and that was it.

Q.  What did it feel like to have that called in?  It was a strange sequence of events.

ANDY MURRAY:  I knew it was in, so, you know, that wasn’t really an issue.  Just, yeah, you just have to obviously sit and wait a little bit.  Then, yeah, when I had confirmation, it was, yeah, relieved I won the match.

Q.  You were talking to Jo about it at the net.

ANDY MURRAY:  He said he thought it was wide and I said I thought it was in.  Then, yeah, that was it.

Q.  What is your main emotion at the moment?  Is it possible to feel elated getting through to the final, or had that perhaps already dissipated?

ANDY MURRAY:  No, tonight I think I need to make sure I enjoy myself, enjoy the win.  You know, it’s not every day you’re through to the final of a Grand Slam, and also Wimbledon.

So I need to make sure I enjoy tonight, and then tomorrow get back on the practice court and, you know, make sure I hit enough balls tomorrow and get focused for Sunday.

Q.  Do you have anything to prove to yourself on Sunday?  Forget everybody else.  How much fun are you having right now?  You don’t look like you’re having too much fun.

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, on Sunday, I mean, almost every time you step on the court you’re trying to prove something to yourself.  I think that’s kind of what motivates you to get better.  Also the players that are around me, as well.  They would be the two things that I think you can’t stay at the top of, you know, any sport, especially one as competitive as tennis, if you don’t have very good self‑motivation.  I think that’s very important.  Obviously I’ll be very motivated on Sunday.

In terms of the enjoyment, yeah, I really enjoyed the win today.  I’ve enjoyed the tournament so far.  Hopefully it will be more enjoyable on Sunday.

Q.  A lot of people will say over the weekend that Roger Federer is 30, he’s closer to the end of the road than he is to the beginning.

ANDY MURRAY:  Who will say that?

Q.  People will just analyze it.

ANDY MURRAY:  Who though?  Who are these people?  Journalists?  Anybody that knows tennis, you can’t use that as an example.

The last couple of years his record in the slams has been, you know, to me unbelievable.  Like I said here, the matches that he’s lost, he was up two sets to nothing, was it both times he lost maybe?  I’m not hundred percent sure, but he was up two sets to love against Tsonga last year.

Yeah, he’s lost some close matches in the slams the last few years, but he had match points against Novak at the US Open maybe two years in a row.  He has lost some very close matches.

I don’t think, if you look at the way he played today, you can’t say he’s passed it or because he’s 30 he’s playing worse tennis.  I just think the players around have gotten better.

Q.  That’s what I was going to ask you.  In your mind you’re still playing a great Wimbledon champion, right?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yes.

Q.  Was that the hardest game you’ve ever had to win?

ANDY MURRAY:  Which one?

Q.  The one today.

ANDY MURRAY:  No, I don’t think so.  I mean, the first couple of sets, you know, were pretty smooth.  Then after that, yeah, it was tough.  It was a tough match.  But like the quarterfinal match was very difficult, as well.

I mean, there certainly wasn’t as many long rallies, long games like there was, you know, in the Ferrer match.

But in terms of like focus, that was probably one of the hardest matches in that respect.  Because, you know, when you do win a couple of sets comfortably and you’re getting close to the final of a slam, you know, it’s really hard sometimes just to stay in the moment and not get too far ahead of yourself, you know, play each point and make each point as important as any one.

I did throw a game away a little bit at the beginning of the third set and it cost me a bit, but I wouldn’t say it was the toughest match I’ve ever played.

Q.  You’re being understandably quite cool about the win.  I don’t know if you saw, but in the players’ box your girlfriend was emotional and your mum was ecstatic.  Have you managed to speak to them yet?

ANDY MURRAY:  I haven’t seen anyone except the guys that I work with.  I saw Tim Henman.

Q.  What was Tim’s reaction?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, just, Well done.  It’s not the end of the tournament yet.  The time for all of that stuff comes when I’m done.  You know, I spoke to Ivan after the match.  It was, Good job.  You did really well.  What time do you want to practice tomorrow?  That’s it.  There’s no time for anything else.

Q.  You said you might celebrate this evening.

ANDY MURRAY:  I won’t celebrate.  I’ll just enjoy this evening.  I’ll go back home, have a nice meal with my girlfriend, and then, yeah, just enjoy it with her and the dogs.  That’s it.

I’m not going to go out and celebrate tonight, although I heard there’s a cocktail party here this evening which I’ve been invited to but probably won’t be participating in.

Q.  Serena in here earlier today spoke about how you were one of the players she most enjoyed watching and what she appreciates about your game.  What sort of appreciation do you have for watching her serve?

ANDY MURRAY:  It’s not just that.  I mean, the thing about her game for me is that she’s an unbelievable athlete.  She’s probably one of the best female athletes ever in terms of she’s got strength, she’s quick, you know, she’s got very powerful, powerful strokes.

I mean, I saw a little bit of the match yesterday, but serving 24 aces is pretty incredible in a two‑set match.  Yeah, I mean, I think as a competitor ‑ there’s been some unbelievable players obviously ‑ but she’s probably one of the best that the woman’s tour has seen for a few years.

Q.  Her serve has been right below an average guy on the ATP Tour.

ANDY MURRAY:  Speed‑wise?

Q.  Yes.

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, well, she has a very, very good serve, like I say.  She is obviously a very good athlete, but her service technique is almost perfect, as well.  I think that’s what is so good about it.  Very few of the women can put good kick on the serve, and she has an excellent kick serve, as well.

So it’s not just her first serve.  Her second serve is very, very good.

Q.  What would you say the biggest impact on the mental approach of your game, your coaching from Lendl, has had?  How might that manifest itself in the next match?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, I think, you know, like after the match today, you know, you try to make sure you don’t get too excited on the court, never get too high, never get too down, which maybe in the past I was too up and down.  Needed to try and be a bit more stable on the court, not be so emotional.

I’d say that’s the one thing that I’ve learnt from kind of being around him was that, you know, like I explained after the match today, it wasn’t like it was jumping around the locker room with excitement.  It was, There’s one more match to go.  Well done today, but let’s focus on the next one.

Q.  When Virginia Wade was the last British woman to win a singles title here, the Queen was quite a big part of that occasion.  She presented the trophy.  If you were able to come on Sunday, would that add to your occasion?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, I’m sure it would.  But, yeah, it’s tough around this time because obviously William and Kate were here the other day.  You have guys like Rod Laver and Agassi here.  You know, the Queen was here a few years ago, too.  You know, there’s a lot of pressure and stuff, but it’s obviously a privilege to play in front of those sort of people.

I’m not sure if she’ll be here on Sunday, but it would be nice.

Q.  Does preparation for a match like this involve re‑watching matches of Roger at other finals to learn from mistakes, or is there ant irrelevance?

ANDY MURRAY:  No, more watching ‑‑ my coaches will watch his matches this week.  Obviously some stuff from when I would have played him before I try not to watch before I play against him.  I’ve seen obviously some of his tennis this week.  I saw obviously some of the match today, as well.

The other thing you pick up on is the thing ‑‑ I’ve learnt from those matches that I lost against him in the past.  If you go too much into detail of things that happened in the past it’s not always beneficial, because in tennis every day is different, you know.

So I just need to try and make sure I play a perfect match on Sunday.

Q.  Can you imagine a more perfect scenario than beating the greatest player of all time?

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, it obviously would be very nice.  You know, I can’t allow myself to think that far ahead.  Like I was trying to explain, the match today it’s easy to, but you can’t allow yourself to.  It’s not really beneficial.

You know, I’ll have talked to the guys about the match tomorrow and just focus on getting the tactics right and hopefully playing a match.  There’s obviously going to be nerves and pressure there for sure, but I need to try and stay focused.

Q.  How are you feeling physically?  Do you think you’ll recover well for Sunday?

ANDY MURRAY:  I felt fine today.  I felt less tired than I did in the match with Ferrer because, like I say, there wasn’t as many long rallies.

Yeah, it wasn’t that tough physically.  It was more mental.  That was the hard part.

But I did well to hang in at the end because he was playing better.

Q.  I just got a call from Bunny Austin who was very relieved that nobody will talk about him next year.  Do you think Fred Perry has good chance to be talked any more next year?  On Sunday night do you think Fred Perry will benedict your win next Sunday?

ANDY MURRAY:  He’s not alive, though.  I don’t understand.  (Laughter.)

Q.        From up there he’ll send you a benediction.

ANDY MURRAY:  Yeah, well, I hope so.  (Smiling.)

Q.  You’ve already brought an immense amount of pride not just to the Scottish public, but all across Britain.  Do you have a personal message for them?

ANDY MURRAY:  Well, yeah, I’m going to need all their help on Sunday because, yeah, it’s a massive challenge to win against Roger, you know, in the final of a slam, at Wimbledon.  You know, I hope that all of the crowd is with me.  Like I say, I’ll need all of their support.  It’s been great so far.

They’ve helped me out through some tough moments the last couple of matches, and I’ll definitely need it again on Sunday.

Q.  Given your previous experience in Grand Slam finals, if you can win one set on Sunday, will it give you the belief and confidence to go on and win three?  Will you get swept up by the momentum?

ANDY MURRAY:  I think on grass more than the other surfaces, it can be ‑‑ you know, matches can change quite quickly.  Most of the sets are normally decided on one or two breakpoints or a couple of mistakes here or there or a couple of great shots.

The sets aren’t normally 6‑1, 6‑2 sets.  Even if I lose the first set or the second set, you can always come back.

Like I said, Roger lost a couple matches from a couple sets up the last few years.  So, you know, whereas in the past you might have thought going two sets down it was impossible.  There’s still time to come back.

But ideally you want to try to get off to a good start.  You know, that would make a big difference, I’m sure.

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA

Q.  Talk about the difficulty of dealing with the fact that most people here were rooting for the other guy and the importance of the match and the aura of all that.

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  You know, I was in my match, I was focused.  I didn’t, you know, take care of it.  You know, I was in my match, so for me it was not really important today.

Q.  When you heard roof was coming off, was that a positive for you or a negative?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  I don’t know.  I don’t know.  We have to do a rematch for that with the roof.

I don’t know.

Q.  Can you share with us what you were saying to Andy at the net at the very end?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  No, I just tell him ‑‑ Oh, because I didn’t know how was the ball.  I knew the ball was wide, but in or out I don’t know.  He ask me, How is it?  I said, I really don’t know.  That’s why we laughed.

Q.  You said you didn’t know?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  I said, I don’t know, but I think it’s wide.  But maybe on the line or not, I don’t know.

Q.  Did you feel maybe you left it too late to start playing your very best tennis?  He was up two sets by the time you started flowing.

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  Yeah, I think at the beginning was tough because he played well.  I mean, he didn’t give me one chance, you know, one chance to go to the net.  He didn’t miss one serve.  He was really, really good.

After that his level was a bit down in the third set and I took my chance.  But after that he broke me in the fourth.  I think he deserve it, and that’s it.

Q.  How do you assess the final matchup between Andy and Roger?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  Yeah, I mean, it’s going to be tough for Andy because he need to recover from the last match and this match against me.  He looked pretty tired at the end, so I don’t know how he will be physically.

But I hope for him he will recover and have a chance against Roger.

Q.  You know what it’s like to play in your home slam and feel that pressure.  Can you understand a little bit of what Andy’s going through now with the pressure of playing here at home at Wimbledon?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  I mean, for me there is no more pressure.  He’s in final.  He did the job, I think.  Now everything is bonus, is positive for him.  Now I’m sure he will play only for him and not for all these people.

Q.  What was it like diving and battling all over the place just to try to get to the finals?  How much fun was it?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  You know, for me it’s always fun to be on the court and give my best and fight and try to get every ball.  You know, I’m not the most talented on the tour, but I like to go to the war.  Yeah, I enjoy every time on court.

Of course, sometimes it’s a bit difficult when you play a player who you supposed to win easier than today.  But, you know, I try to enjoy it anyway.

Q.  You had that struggle in the first two sets.  You left the court briefly and came back.  You looked like a new guy out there.  Can you share what happened at the break?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  You know, sometimes my back is blocked and I have to unblock it.  How you say that?  Unblock it?

And, yeah, there is a table outside.  I go there and I do what I have to do, and then I come back and I feel a bit better.

Q.  Stretching or something?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  Yeah.

Q.  The other day you said that tennis teaches us lessons.  What do you think this match taught you?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  I mean, I don’t know.  Maybe it’s too early to say what’s happened today.  But anyway, for me it was a good moment.  Even in the lost, you know, I’m still proud of what I did.  You know, even if I did some mistake and I was not good every time, you know, I fight.

At the end of this match I will say, Okay, I lost it, but I did my best.  Maybe next time, you know, I will have a chance and maybe I will go through.

So, you know, for me anyway it’s positive because it’s the semis.  You know, it give me the energy to continue to fight, to improve my game and try to win something like this.

Q.  Have you ever been hit like that on a court before?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  Never.  But I will have a revenge one time.

Q.  You had great feeling with Andy at the end.  Will you be rooting for him on Sunday?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  You know, I have a pretty good ‑ how you say that ‑ relationship with Andy, but also with Roger.  So it’s two guys, you know, I respect a lot.  I mean, I respect anyway everybody, even the guy who don’t like me.

But, yeah, you know, I will try to ‑ how do you say that ‑ to root for nobody.  (Laughter.)

Q.  You’re one of the few players to have beaten Roger here.  What are the secrets?  Are you surprised at the level he’s at this year?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  No.  I think you have to play your best tennis all the way through, because he’s an unbelievable player on grass.  He’s really relaxed and the ball go really fast.

So I don’t have advice for Andy anyway, because I think he just have to play his best tennis.  That’s it.

Q.  Will you be watching the final on Sunday?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  I have to say yes, but honestly, no.  (Laughter.)

You know, now for me it’s finish.  I will be on holiday.  I will take some day.  I didn’t see my family.  I have a little niece.  She’s two years old and I saw her only two times.  I have to see her.

So I will take some time to enjoy the other part of my life.

Q.  Do you think you played at your very best level today?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  I mean, it’s always difficult to play your best tennis when the guy in front of you play his best tennis.  You know, the two first set was really difficult because he played well.  He was returning everything.  Yeah, he was everywhere, so for me it was really difficult for me to play my game.

On my baseline was tough because he play really long, you know, and it was difficult for me to enter in the court and go to the net.

So the two first sets were difficult for me, but then after that he was a bit tired and he give me, you know, opportunities to go to the net and to hit the ball a bit harder, to have more time.

So I think the two last sets I think I play my best tennis.

Q.  Are you coming back here for the Olympics?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  Yes, of course.

Q.  Suppose you play Andy in a medal game next time, how will you approach it?  The crowd was fair to you, but how will you approach it?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  Yeah, I try to maybe enter better than today, you know, in my match, and that’s it.

Q.  Is there any chance you could put your little niece on your knees and saying, That could have been me?  Have you thought about that, just watching tennis with her?

JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA:  Yeah, but she don’t care about tennis.  She care about other things.  So yeah, why not?  Why not?  But I think she look at me already today.

            Q.  You had your left ankle heavily strapped a couple days ago.  Doesn’t seem to be giving you any problems since?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  I strap it every day, every match, every practice.

            Q.  That was during the match.

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  It was too tight so I had redo it.  It was nothing.

            Q.  Aga was too sick to talk today and you were out winning a doubles match with your sister.  Do you think that’s a good sign for tomorrow?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  No.  She’s definitely resting up for tomorrow.  She’s looking good and getting ready.  This is a big thing.

            Q.  Do you wish you were resting up today or would you rather be out there playing?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, it would be good to have a day off, but also it’s good to practice in doubles because I get a lot of match play, practice some returns, some serves.

            It was fine.

            Q.  Your dad said yesterday there was a time a couple years ago when you thought you would never play again.  At that time were you frustrated, angry, scared?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, I was definitely I think frustrated.  Not scared, because ‑‑ actually I don’t think even ‘frustrated’ is a good word.  I think it was more or less like wasn’t even thinking about tennis.  I just wanted to make it through everything that I was going through and become a survivor.  I’ve been able to do that.

            I’ve been through so much in the past year or two years it’s been unbelievable.  So, you know, if you just keep keeping on, you can do it.

            Q.  Going back to your opponents, when you know that your opponent has been struggling with illness or injury, is that something you allow to get into your mind, or can allowing that to get into your mind affect the way you play?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  No.  I just, you know ‑‑ I really like Aga.  She’s a great girl.  I hope her the best and have a great match on Saturday.

            Q.  You’ve had, shall we say, a pretty unusual life.  What is the best part of being Serena Williams?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  I never thought about it.  You know, I have a great job.  I get to do what I love and have a lot of fun with it.  I don’t know.

            So maybe that’s it.  Not every day you get to do things you really love.

            Q.  Are you proud of the survival piece of your life?  Is that something that gives you a lot of pride?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, definitely proud to have been able to be able to come back as opposed to not.  So it’s always good.

            Q.  What would it mean to you to get your Wimbledon title back?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Oh, my gosh, it would mean a lot to me.  But, you know, I have to get there, get that, so hopefully I’ll do it.  That would be awesome.  But, I mean, I have two chances to get one title, and hopefully I’ll be able to do something.

            Q.  Did you think that might not come again at one point?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Never.

            Q.  You always believed?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  I don’t play unless I feel like I can win.  That’s why I play tennis.  I’m not playing to come in last place.

            Q.  The other day Andy Murray compared his quest for a championship to LeBron James, a long time coming, a difficult road.  What is your perspective on what Andy Murray has gone through with the attention here in England and the possible matchup with Roger Federer?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  It’s great for him.  I’m a big Andy Murray fan.  I love watching him play.  I think he’s really exciting.

            So, you know, he’s doing well right now.  I think he’ll obviously have the crowd behind him, which also could be a little nerve‑wracking.  Could be a little nervous playing at home.  It will be so amazing for him to do well.

            Q.  What kind of pressure do you sense there’s been all these years on him?  Can you see that comparison with LeBron James?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, I mean, definitely with the tennis press.  They always talk about the top four, the big four.  He’s obviously a part of it.  You know, obviously LeBron, ultimate talent but hadn’t won a championship until now.

            But it was bound to come, and I think Andy’s day is bound to come, whether it’s this weekend or some other weekend.

            Q.  Virginia Wade recently called Andy Murray a drama queen.  Wondering how you would compare your own drama to his.

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  I don’t know.  I mean, I love watching him play because I think it’s so exciting.  You never know what he’s going to do.  He’s running every ball down.  He looks tired and then he comes back.  I think it’s awesome.  He’s really one of my favorite people to watch for years now, so…

            If that’s being a drama queen, it’s really exciting.

            Q.  How would you compare your game now to when you last won here two years ago?  Are you better, worse, different?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  I don’t know.  I’m not living so much in the past.  I haven’t even thought about that, I think.  About two years ago I was playing excellent.  Hopefully I can just play excellent again.

            Q.  Is your serve better now?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  I hope so for tomorrow it will be better, so hopefully.

            Q.  You’ll have a chance to become the first 30‑something Grand Slam champion on the women’s side since Martina back in 1990.  What is your reaction to that notion?  Do you feel like an old‑timer?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  No.  I feel really good and healthy and great.  Like I said the other day, mentally I’m 12.  Hopefully I can grow up.

            Q.  You were saying earlier in the tournament you had to improve and get better.  I think you said you’ve got no chance if you played like you did in one of your earlier games.  Are you feeling happier now with your game?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, obviously.  Definitely I’m feeling much better.  Whew, thank goodness, because I wasn’t looking so good in the first round.

            Q.  Yeah.

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  You’re not supposed to agree (laughter).  But it got better.

            Q.  Early on here you talked about being a glass half empty kind of girl; you’ve also talked about now trying to stay positive.  Where is your mindset now?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  You know, just positive, live for the moment.  You know, the past is the past.  Any match I’ve won in the past is in the past.  For me, because I tend to dwell on, Oh, I didn’t do that so good; I didn’t do this so good.

            But I have another chance to try.

            Q.  I spoke to your dad yesterday, and he was in absolutely no doubt.  Serena will win he said.  A lot of people are making you the overwhelming favorite to win.  Is it difficult for you to shut that out?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  No.  I have to go out there and win.  Agnieszka has had a better year than I have.  She’s been way more consistent than me.  She’s done really well, so she’s ranked higher than me.  She deserves to be.

            You know, I have to go out there and fight for this.  This is by no means going to be easy.  Never, ever do I underestimate any opponent.  She’s out there to try to do her best.

            Q.  Are you still going to play Palo Alto?  Sloane Stephens earlier in the tournament was saying she was having lots of fun with you and you are a complete goof ball.  Do you take that as a compliment?  Talk about that.

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Yeah, I mean, I’m still entered in it and I have a flight on Monday to go there, so I plan on being on that flight.

            Sloane is great.  I’m always teasing her.  We have a lot of fun.  I absolutely love hanging out with her.  She’s funny.

            Q.  Did you learn anything about yourself or preparing after losing to Sam the way you did at the Open last year when you were such an overwhelming favorite, or is it a one‑night thing and you put it away?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  Well, uhm, that was tough for me.  I played a lot of matches.  Not more than I did here, but I was really tired.  I really tried.  Also had just came back from a year off, so I think ultimately it was a really great effort for me.  I don’t know why I was such a heavy favorite.  Maybe because I had such a great summer.

            But, you know, for me, I was just happy to have made it that far.  I mean, if you look at where I’d came from, after Wimbledon I was ranked almost close to 200.  I fought back.

            So that’s the one loss that I didn’t beat myself up over because I felt like, Serena, look how far you’ve come and look how far you will continue to go.

            Q.  Are you making a point with your water bottle with its logo?

            SERENA WILLIAMS:  I love Gatorade.  I drink it all the time.  You should try it.

ROGER FEDERER

            Q.  I want to know about how this affects your confidence maybe moving forward?  And also, what does this tell you about your game, where you’re at, from being still one of the elite players on the planet?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I’ve played a lot of tennis lately.  I’m maybe the guy with most matches played this year, so it’s not like I’ve been on the sideline.  I think that helps, you know, building confidence and momentum really.

            Obviously you want it to pay off in the big matches against the best of the players.  Didn’t happen for me in Paris unfortunately, but it was a tough tournament overall for me.

            Then it’s nice that, you know, it worked today.  Obviously I’d love to win the title.  I have one more match to go.  I’m aware of that.  Still it’s always nice beating someone like Novak, who has done so well here last year, the last couple years.

            We’ve never played on grass.  It was obviously a big occasion.  These matches only help my confidence.  I hope I can use it then for the finals.

            Q.  I can’t imagine you felt you had anything left to prove about your career at this point on this stage.  I’m wondering, did you feel when you walked onto court, was there a statement you wanted to make, a point you wanted to make with your play?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, not really.  All I hoped for was a good match from me, to be quite honest, to give myself a chance to be in the finals, have a shot at the trophy again really.  I missed being in the finals here the last couple years obviously.

            It was big news when I lost to Berdych a few years ago.  Not that I started doubting myself after last year’s quarterfinals, but I played so well in that quarterfinal against Tsonga it was a hard one to sort of accept to lose.  But Jo did great.  You have to wait another year for your chance, and now I am finally back in that final.

            So it’s great.  That’s what my goal was going into the match, not looking ahead of trying to prove a point or anything like that.  Because I felt like I’ve played, like you said, plenty of tennis over the years and had so much success that I don’t think I really need to do that.

            Q.  What was the difference?  Was there a single thing you felt was the tipping point in the match?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I think the surface obviously does make our match quite different, to be quite honest.  We barely had rallies in the first couple of sets, which was surprising for me to see, as well.  We did a lot of first‑strike tennis; a lot of service winners out there.

            That obviously changes momentum of the match.  Doesn’t make it maybe as physical.  It’s more explosive.  Maybe a touch unpredictable.  I thought when I missed my chance early on in the third I might pay for it dearly.  Almost did towards the end of the third set when he had breakpoints.

            So I think overall the surface made the match play differently and potentially in my favor.  I was able to be very aggressive, particularly once I did get into the third set where I thought we both played our very best.

            Now looking back, that was obviously the key to the match.

            Q.  What were your thoughts before the match about the roof being closed?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Uhm, honestly I tried not to think too much about it.  I spoke about it with my coaches.  I asked them is it better for me or not.  Nobody knew (smiling).

            I mean, now I guess it was.  Who knows.

            But it’s really the things ‑‑ like now for the Murray and Tsonga match I didn’t know it was open.  They barely knew 10 minutes before the match.  You just go through it.  There’s another rain delay, you wait it out.  It’s just what we do as tennis players.  We adjust at the very moment.  It was the same again today.

            Q.  How would you describe what Pete Sampras’ record and legacy mean to you?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, everybody knows what a hero he is to me and how much I admire what he’s been able to achieve in tennis.  I mean, I don’t think he ever lost a Grand Slam final here at Wimbledon.  He won seven out of seven, which is just incredible, particularly in the times he played against all these big servers, when things were a bit more unpredictable, let’s say.

            So I’m very proud to have a shot of equaling Pete, but right now the focus is obviously resting and preparing for the next match.

            Q.  His example, how he achieved it, how has that affected the way you’ve approached your career and your play at Wimbledon?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, I particularly remember obviously the end of his career, because before that I was honestly following more Becker and Edberg.  But I admired, you know, how he stuck around, how he tried to win maybe one more, maybe two more.

            Obviously was a big surprise and a shock that I was able to break his five Wimbledons in a row here.  I went on to do it myself.  It was quite odd actually.

            But for me it was an inspiration for sure, as well, you know, to see somebody while I was coming up dominating the game and breaking the all‑time Grand Slam record.  I’m sure that inspired me in some ways.

            Q.  Can you talk about your two prospective opponents in the finals.  Andy’s record in Grand Slam finals is consistent but not great.  Is that a source of hoe for you?  And Tsonga, presumably you have unfinished business with him at Wimbledon after last year.

            ROGER FEDERER:  I’ve played him many times since.  I lost to him in Montréal after that, then beat him at the Open, and then beat him I think three straight times in two weeks at the end of the year.

            So we’ve played many times since, which I think helps me, to be quite honest, because I was still affected by that loss, I do believe, in Montréal, because he came out and, again, played amazing.  I know he can do it again.  That’s why I also respect Jo in a big way.

            And then against Andy, obviously I have I think a losing record against him.

            Q.  Not in finals.

            ROGER FEDERER:  Okay, fine.  That’s something for you to talk about.  But for me I know how good Andy is.  Finals are or finals, I’ve had my tough losses with him as well.  I remember the losses I had against him, in the finals particularly in Shanghai where he crushed me, and in Toronto I believe it was.

            I had a good win against him in Dubai which was on a quick court.  Honestly, we haven’t played much in the last couple of years because of us being ranked 3 or 4 for sometime now.  We always ended up in Novak or Rafa’s hands and one would win but not both usually, so then we wouldn’t see each other very often.

            But if I do play Andy it’s quite interesting, because we haven’t played each other very often lately.

            Q.  Having just beaten the defending champion in a high‑caliber match, do you have to build yourself up again for the final and guard against any complacency?

            ROGER FEDERER:  No, not for me.  I’m aware that the tournament’s not over yet.  I didn’t break down crying and fell to my knees and thought the tournament is over and I achieved everything I ever wanted. (Laughter.)

            Honestly, it happens faster than you think it does.  Then all of a sudden you come out the next match and you’re not the same anymore because you’re emotionally too drained already and you think it’s been a great tournament.

            I know it’s been a great tournament, but we’ll assess that once the tournament is over.  Right now I want to try to play the best possible final I can.

            Q.  You said before that nobody told you if the court was in your favor or not with the roof.  But do you hope the final will be played with the roof or not depending on your opponent?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Outdoors, I hope.  That’s what it’s supposed to be here.

            Q.  How do you explain the fact that the first two sets, the serve was dominating the match, and then suddenly you start to play a lot of rallies which you were losing?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Yeah, we didn’t have that many long rallies in the first couple of sets.  It’s always hard to find rhythm maybe, let’s be honest.  Well, I mean, it’s hard to fire bullets the whole time, so you try to also find some range.  If he tees off first, it’s hard to defend obviously.

            It is grass, after all.  It’s just not as easy to take that many balls out and, you know, come up with amazing shots time and time again.  That’s why I kept on attacking ‑ particularly I started to return much better as the match went on ‑ because I played a decent first set in return.

            In the second set I wasn’t very happy and I tried to take some adjustments, particularly on the second serve, and all those things worked really well.  Then I was able to be the aggressor once I got into the baseline rallies, which wasn’t the case in that second set, for instance, and maybe a little bit of the first set, too.

            Q.  The crowd clearly wanted you to win today.  Who would you rather face in the final?  If it is Andy Murray, do you think the crowd will be as supportive on Sunday?

            ROGER FEDERER:  I thought it actually was very respectful towards both players today.  That’s the feeling I got, particularly the first set, first couple of sets.  I don’t want to say there was that much to cheer about, but the points were awfully short.

            The guy that had the break was in control.  There wasn’t that nail‑biter feeling quite yet.  That started to come along in the third and fourth set, I thought.  But I did feel big crowd support towards the end.  You felt like they really wanted me to win, which is obviously a nice feeling.

            Now for the finals, of course I’d love to play Murray.  I always say in whatever country I am I like to play the local hero, I kind of call them, and Andy is exactly that here at Wimbledon.

            So I hope the match comes along, even though I like Jo very much.  Here it would be very special playing against him.

            I don’t know.  I hope I have some crowd support, but it’s not the very most important thing right now.

            Q.  What is your biggest challenge going into this match, considering you’ve been here so many times before?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Uhm, I mean, I wasn’t nervous at all today before the match.  I was almost a bit surprised I wasn’t more nervous.

            But then again, I think that’s good sometimes.  That means I’m in a good place mentally.  And you got to be that for the finals, as well.

            Of course, there’s a lot on the line for me.  I’m not denying that.  I have a lot of pressure, as well.  I’m looking forward to that.  That’s what I work hard for.  I’ve worked extremely hard since I lost that match point against Novak last year at the US Open.  My run has been extremely good.  Now I have a chance at world No. 1, at the title again all at once.

            So it’s a big match for me and I hope I can keep my nerves.  I’m sure I can.  Then hopefully win the match.  But we’ll see about that.

            Q.  You spoke a moment ago about Andy being the local hero.  What have been your observations over the years on the weight of Murray mania and the country’s attention to this tournament and this player?

            ROGER FEDERER:  Well, it reminds me a little bit of Australia maybe because you don’t have the amount of players you do have from, say, from France or from America.  So the focus is more on one player or maybe a couple.

            So I think this is what is so particular here in this country is that there’s so much attention on that one player, which is Andy Murray.  Let’s be happy that he’s such a great player that he lets that sort of hype last because he always remains in the tournament for so long.  I think that’s what’s particular about it.

            He’s only going to get better as time goes by.  That’s what he’s been proving.  It’s going to be interesting to see if he’s going to make it to the finals.  I’d love it, you know.  Yeah, so I think he’s actually handled it very well from what I’ve seen from afar.