CNN interviewed Serena Williams when she was 9. Here’s what she said then, and now. We’re also bringing back your answers to some of the most frequently asked questions for the next round.
Serena Williams has been asked more than 20,000 questions about everything going into the 2013 Australian Open. Serena says she’s had a lot of help getting ready for the year, from her father and former coach to personal trainer Pam Shriver and nutritionist Bob Greene. She also talks about what the Australian Open represents to her, and how she got to the semifinals of the French Open.
“Being a woman who knows about nutrition and getting the protein right, you have to be at the top of your game for a whole year,” she said. “That’s one thing that can’t be changed; you’ve got to be at the top of your game all the time. That’s why for me it was key to change it up because I know how to get it done.”
Serena also discusses how she got her ranking to No. 1 after a long period without one (it took five years!), she talks about her thoughts on the Australian Open, and her plans for Wimbledon.
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Read the first-ever interview with Serena Williams in the February 2009 issue of Elle. Read more from the interview in our full interview with Serena Williams feature.
Q: With every competition you win, I am left feeling disappointed. Do you have any advice when it comes to letting your competition know how much you appreciate the hard work they put in to win a title?
A: It’s funny because that happens for everyone all the time. Especially after a win because it’s that little bit more to live the rest of your life knowing that you beat someone so hard and played so well for them. I think that they know that their hard work actually went out and it actually did help me win the title. It’s like, “That’s awesome.” Not only is it a great feeling for someone to win the title, but it’s also a great feeling for a person that gives everything for that, that makes sure they go out there and they try to win, and they do everything right. It’s the first