When you're the No. 1 player in the world and you've dealt with the media for nearly half your life, you've earned the right to say what you want.
Serena Williams, whose semifinals match against Roberta Vinci in the U.S. Open was pushed back to today, probably is grateful for an extra day's rest, not only physically, but also from the media.
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After her emotional, quarterfinals win over sister Venus on Tuesday night, she let her guard down enough in her post-match news conference to criticize the media after an unusual question by video of her session, complex.com reported.
"You just won a match. Normally, you smile when you win; you come here, you laugh, the reporter said. "What happens tonight? Is just because you beat Venus or because you're thinking what is going next? What's wrong?"
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"It's 11:30," Williams responded. "To be perfectly honest with you, I don't want to be here. I just want to be in bed right now. I have to wake up early to practice. I don't want to answer any of these questions and you keep asking me the same questions.
"It's not really ... you're not making it super-enjoyable."
To which the reporter responded, "At least I made you laugh."
But Serena finished her train of thought, saying, "I'm just being honest."
The reporter was persistent:
"At least I made you smile. Can I just ask you about ..."
Serena cut him off, saying, "Is it about Venus again?"
To which the reporter asked a more obscure question:
"About Roberta Vinci, of course. Even in Italy, we think that she has no chance, but what is your opinion?"
Complex.com lauded Williams for the way she handled the situation.
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