Serena gets candid with Paes

Washington:

It was indeed a rare occasion when one Grand Slam champion interviewed the other. India's tennis star Leander Paes donned the role of an NDTV reporter during the World Team Tennis League and caught up with Wimbledon champion Serena Williams. Here are the excerpts of the special interview...

Leander: Serena tell me about playing for the Washington Kastles and for the American community all around the country.

Serena: It's been really fine. I love playing for the Washington Kastles. I play for them every year and this year I was able to do better than last year, so it was a lot of fun.



Leander: One of the greatest reason that I respect you apart from being a fantastic athlete and player is for the work that you actually do for the community. I have heard that you have been to Africa and done some work there too. Tell us about that?

Serena: Well, I love trying to give back. I was really moved by the pictures I saw of these kids. They had a tree branch like a little stick and they used that as their pencil and the ground. The dirt was their paper and they would do math problems in the dirt and they would erase it with their hands and do another problem. That's how they got their education. And I thought these kids really wanted to learn and they really wanted to have a chance. This was in Kenya and so we went out there and we built a school for them. They wanted the opportunity and they got it. I really want to keep doing that in different cities and different countries, opening up different schools for kids who really need it and want and deserve it.

Leander: Playing against your sister in Wimbledon in or big finals like that. What's that feeling like?

Serena: It's good. We have really got used to it. And now every time we play, it gets easier, especially in the finals. That's what we have worked for. You know when we were young and growing up, my dad always said we would play each other in the finals and it was just a dream then. And now when it happens, it's worth that. I would rather play her and see her reach that far than play someone else. Even though she is really tough. May be I don't know! (Laughs!)

Leander: I bet she is saying the same about you

Serena: Yeah! Hope so but if not her then you know its always against a player. I never want to lose and always want to do well.