Venus loses match, wins praise from Graf

Both players agreed the difference in the match was that Graf played better on the crucial points, especially the break points. “I told myself I wanted to go for my shots and go or the points and not try to be tentative,” Graf said.

Graf praised Williams.

“She moves incredibly well out there,” she said. “She got some balls that I thought were over. You could see in the past two years what potential she has.”

A future No 1?

“I have said it before, and I would say it again: I think so, yes,” Graf said. “She has the game. And she has the physique, which is equally important. She certainly has a lot of talent. She can come in and play from the back. She can do a lot of things out there.”

“I’ve learned quite a few things,” Williams said. “I’m definitely going to have to make more shots, that’s for sure. I’m going to go out and work on my game. I’m going to continue to improve.”

But Williams said she can’t see herself still playing at age 30 like Graf. “I don’t think there’s a big chance for me, not at all,” she said. “I have a short attention span.”

Top