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So what is it like to actually face Serena Williams on the tennis court? These players will tell you …

Amelie Mauresmo: “Sometimes it was the toughest thing, the toughest challenge on the Tour. Sometimes it was enjoyment because you find the weaknesses and you find the way out to beat her. But this doesn’t happen each time. But yeah, it was one of the biggest challenges in the womens’ game. (Best match against her?) I beat her twice so those were the best memories to me [smiles].”

Flavia Pennetta: “Serena is a player who never loses concentration, who has no fear.”

Marion Bartoli: “When I play against Serena Williams the first time, in Miami quarterfinal. I remember she served a second serve – she almost lobbed me. She put so much kick she almost lobbed me [smiles]. I was running backwards to play the ball. It was so funny. I was embarrassed.”

Kim Clijsters: “She has that face where she’s like, Okay, I’m here to do business…I remember the first time I played Serena at the US Open in 2000 or ’99. That’s where I first saw the type of player Serena is. I was kind of just bringing a lot of balls back and she was kind of missing them. But then at 5-2 in the third set where I was up, she just, bang, started going for aces, started hitting winners. Like something switched in her head. That’s something great players can do and she definitely has it.”

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“Serena said COME ON, COME ON, COME ON to Venus. And they fixed the problem.”

Virginia Ruano-Pascal: “I played Serena at Wimbledon. Like, a long time ago. And I beat her. She retired in the third set. And then I remember that I play her good.”

Question: Why did Serena retire?

Virginia Ruano-Pascal: “I’m not sure why she retired. Probably didn’t want to lose. But nothing wrong during the match.”

Question: What tactics did you use that were so effective?

Virginia Ruano-Pascal: “I play with my backhand crosscourt slice. So I think she had problems to move on grass with the slice backhand.”

Question: What is your first memory of Serena?

Virginia Ruano-Pascal: “I have another memory in the doubles, we lost against Serena and Venus in the final in Australian Open. We went up a set and 4-2. And in one moment, Serena said COME ON, COME ON, COME ON to Venus. And they fixed the problem and we lost the final.”

Question: Sounds like Serena roaring COME ON three times was the turning point?

Virginia Ruano-Pascal: “Yes. She fight a lot. And she play better, better and better. And so much energy, so positive.”

Question: Lasting memory of Serena on or off court?

Virginia Ruano-Pascal: “This year in Madrid. And I saw her and she remember me, like, HEY. How are you? So. Nice. She is nice.”

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“In the very beginning you never know, you know? Some players look amazing and never make it. And some don’t and they do.”

Mary Pierce: “First memory of Serena…I think goes back to Delray Beach days. When we were training with Rick Macci. Before her and her sister played any pro tournaments. And they were just practicing all day long. I could remember there were some clay courts underneath where I was living at the time. They would wake me up early in the morning, hearing the balls being hit, I’m like, Who’s out there playing so early [smiles]? And I’d look out my window and I’d see it was Serena and her sister practicing, and her family was out there. And it was impressive because they would just be out there all day long. And they would bring their good and they’d sit down and have a break and eat and then they’d go back out and hit. They were just on the court all day.”

Question: Your most memorable match with Serena?

Mary Pierce: “I have a lot of matches that I played against her and then she was always so much fun to play. Such an amazing player and competitor. Thought it was a privilege to play her, no matter what, win or lose. Obviously, I would have to say my win against her in Indian Wells, because, obviously, I felt that that was the best match that I played against her, so.”

Question: 6-1 6-2. Was that the only time that you beat her?

Mary Pierce: “It might be. I don’t know. But it might be.”

Question: What happened that day? Why was that such a special performance?

Mary Pierce: “I think I just knew, to beat Serena, that I had to be on the top of my game and I had to play really well. And I had to serve well and return well, not make too many unforced errors and, especially, I had to be really aggressive and I think that’s what I did really well, trying to come forward a lot.”

Question: Your first impression of her, first time on the court with her as a kid, did you think she could become the great champion that she has become?

Mary Pierce: “In tennis, it’s hard to say. In the very beginning you never know, you know? Some players look amazing and never make it. And some don’t and they do. So I just think that seeing her compete from the very beginning – she’s always been like a very fierce competitor – a very aggressive, very hungry – and a fighter – so those are obviously great qualities that you need to be a champion.”

Question: Interactions with her off court, how did you get along with Serena off court?

Mary Pierce: “I feel I got along well with all the girls off the court and in the locker room and around. I was friendly with everybody. I stopped playing in 2006. Serena was obviously on Tour by then, so I don’t feel I had a lot of time to get to know her and her sister very much. Not as much as I would have liked to, let’s put it that way. I would have liked to have got to know them a little bit better. But I just felt – which is understandable – it’s very competitive – and they’re not really there to socialize very much. And I think even Serena prefers it now where she’s a lot more relaxed, than she was in the past, obviously, she’s very close friends with Caroline (Wozniacki) now. So I think maybe ten years ago that’s not something she was looking for or focused on while she’s on Tour.”

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“Serena was playing with my little brother on the side while Venus smoked me on the court.”

Marissa Irvin: “Well, in my opinion, she is probably the greatest of all time. So it was an honor. And at the same time I still want to beat her. I ended up losing four and one. And it was in the fourth round at the Australian Open. And she went on to win the tournament, so. Which she often does [smiles]. But she is still incredible. She hits the ball so hard. She’s so fast. And she can hit shots that nobody else can.”

Question: Did anything surprise you about her?

Marissa Irvin: “I think the most amazing thing about playing Serena is she is just so quick, she gets to the ball so fast. And it’s really hard to get anything past her. And that’s the most difficult part.”

Question: Lasting memory of Serena?

Marissa Irvin: “She’s a great champion and I wish her well.”

Question: Your first memory of Serena?

Marissa Irvin: “As a child, we played each other. Actually I played her older sister Venus in ten and unders. Serena was playing with my little brother on the side while Venus smoked me on the court [smiles].”

Question: Where?

Marissa Irvin: “A junior tournament in Southern California Satellite, ten and under.”

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“She was not missing and she was really fast.”

Stephanie Foretz: “It was first round of Wimbledon, a long time ago. The first time I played a number one in the world. Kind of little bit scary because I play on small courts before at Wimbledon and this was my first time on big court. I enjoyed the match, beginning was tough but second set I was playing better and, you know, when you’re not used to playing like a good player like this I need more time to adjust. I think I really did a good second set but she was really powerful and serve on grass was really tough to return. That’s what I remember.”

Question: Did anything surprise you about playing her for the first time?

Stephanie Foretz: “I was surprised that she was powerful. She was not missing and really fast, everything, forehand and backhand. It was also great to play someone like famous and have a great time.”

Question: What did you learn if you get to play her again that you might change in your tactics and gameplan?

Stephanie Foretz: “Change the tactics? No. I think the only thing I can do is play better [smiles]. And do what I do the best I can.”

Question: Lasting memory on or off court?

Stephanie Foretz: “I’ve been playing a lot of qualies so I didn’t see her for years. I knew she was practicing in France but I didn’t see her. So I have to see her and tell you something but I don’t have anything for a long time.”

Question: Get along with her? Ever talk?

Stephanie Foretz: “No, not really [laughs].”

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“They hit everywhere.”

Yuka Yoshida: “I play her ten years ago against Serena and Venus with Shinobu Asagoe. Doubles. And they play very hard, hit the ball hard and they play the ball anywhere. Very good. At US Open first round in Ashe Stadium. Serena and Venus won 63 63.”

Question: Do you remember the tactics you and your partner tried to use in the match?

Yuka Yoshida: “We tried to hit the short balls and high balls mixed up. But they hit everywhere. So that’s why we lost.”

Question: Did you do anything tactic-wise that was successful?

Yuka Yoshida: “We have to hit hard and mix up more. And maybe we try to move forward.”

Question: Did anything surprise you about being on court with them for the first time?

Yuka Yoshida: “The way they poached. They were quick. And short balls they hit hard. Normally I can hit over – lobs – but they could hit them (overheads).”

Question: Did the Williams go on to win that title?

Yuka Yoshida: “Yes.”

Question: Lasting memory of Serena?

Yuka Yoshida: “I only see her one time and I lost. Playing Serena was a good memory but we lost. But it was a good memory because we play stadium. I only play one other match in big stadium, against Tauziat at Roland Garros.”

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“Just the intensity. Each and every point. It reminded me a little bit of Monica Seles”

Nicole Pratt: “I guess the first memory of Serena was when they first came on the Tour, there was a lot of hype. Obviously, Venus was before Serena. I can’t remember the year I played her, you’ll have to check that, but I played her in US Open in the first round on Louie Armstrong Stadium. I remember there was a lot of hype. And I’d been on Tour for a while. It was a great match, three sets. I guess I sort of got my initiation of playing Serena. And then I played her a few more times. Tough, tough competitor. Big weapons. And at that stage, she struggled to control everything. But you knew that if she put it all together, then certainly she was going to be a top player in the world.”

Question: Was it fun to play Serena? Or was it too physically demanding?

Nicole Pratt: “My game style – obviously I didn’t have the weapons that she had. So I sort of had to try to outsmart her. In the beginning I don’t think she was a player that handled variety all that well. She loved it when people smashed the ball at her. So if you could throw in a bit of slice – but you had to be prepared to run as well. Certainly when she made the effort to to, I think, get into better shape, that’s when she certainly became more intimidating to a lot of players. Credit to her the last four-five years, she’s done a great job getting into the best shape of her career.”

Question: Did anything surprise you about being on the court with her as opposed to hearing about her or seeing her on TV?

Nicole Pratt: “Just the intensity. Each and every point. It reminded me a little bit of Monica Seles, to me, was one of the greatest competitors of all time. She was on you the whole time. She just didn’t allow you to breathe. She didn’t give away any cheap points. I just felt that Serena had that same presence – but would also make a lot of unforced errors. But give you some breathing room. But as she got more and more experienced, got better and better, more consistent.”

Question: Which one was harder to play Seles or Serena?

Nicole Pratt: “[Pause]… I’d say when I was playing, it was Monica. But I wouldn’t want to be facing Serena now [smiles]. A lot of times I was playing Monica in her prime and Serena wasn’t quite there yet.”

Question: Lasting memory of Serena?

Nicole Pratt: “I think she was one of the players that changed the game of tennis. She really did. The influence she had, the physicality, the weapons and just the desire, to be the best she could be.”

Question: Marion Bartoli told me Serena’s serve kicked over her head like a lob…

Nicole Pratt: “Yeah, her serve is a weapon, when it’s on you can’t break it. So you have to accept and wait till that little window of opportunity is there. And that’s difficult to go in there with that mentality.”

Question: What was your best result vs. Serena?

Nicole Pratt: “The first time I played her I lost 7-5 in the third.”

——————————————————————————————————-This is an excerpt of a future book or feature by Scoop Malinowski to be titled “Facing Serena”

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