Serena Williams is fit, focused and bidding to end a decade-long wait for success at the French Open.
American's solitary French Open title came a decade ago
Serena Williams is fit, focused and bidding to end a decade-long wait for success at the French Open.
The 30-year-old's only grand slam title on clay came in 2002 at the start of a sequence that would see her win all four grand slam titles in succession to complete the so-called 'Serena Slam'.
Roland Garros has certainly not been her favourite venue since but she heads into the French Open on a winning streak of 17 clay-court matches stretching back to the start of April.
Significantly, in that run she has beaten both Maria Sharapova - a potential quarter-final opponent here - and world number one Victoria Azarenka, who are likely to be her main rivals for the title.
Intense
But Williams insists she is not thinking too much about a 14th grand slam singles title, saying: "It would be really intense and really crazy, but I'm just ready to get out there and start playing.
"Obviously there are several people here that want to win. I think I'm one of those people. I'm just going to focus on doing my best."
Williams, who faces France's Virginie Razzano in round one, pulled out of her last tournament in Rome ahead of a semi-final against Li Na because of a back problem, but she is confident that will not be too much of a hindrance.
"I took a couple of days off and I got a lot of treatment and stuff like that," said the fifth seed.
"I feel a lot better. I've played a lot, so I don't know if that's what it was."
Williams missed the French Open last year as part of a long lay-off as she battled to recover from a foot injury and then blood clots.
Being away from the game for so long and in such circumstances gave the American a new perspective, and she said: "I think in general I have a much better commitment to tennis.
"I love being on the court now. I love every moment. This is what I live for. After going through everything that I went through, I really appreciate every moment more, especially being out on the court."
Serena has also been boosted by the presence in the draw of sister Venus, who is playing her first grand slam tournament since pulling out of the US Open last summer after being diagnosed with the auto-immune disease Sjogren's Syndrome.
The 31-year-old returned to action in Miami in March and has in general performed well, reaching the quarter-finals at three WTA Tour events to climb back to 52 in the rankings.
Serena said: "It's amazing what Venus has done. It's unbelievable. She's been playing so well and beaten several top-10 players and still dealing with what she has to go through, which I see.
"It's really intense. I just don't know anyone out there who has gone through everything that she's gone through and just remaining completely positive and yet still playing so well. It helps me so much to have her out here."
Pressure
Azarenka has undoubtedly been the player of the season so far, beginning the year with a run of 26 wins in a row, including collecting her first grand slam title at the Australian Open.
It will be the Belarusian's first grand slam tournament as the top seed, but she insists that will not put more pressure on her shoulders.
Azarenka said: "I don't really think about it that I have to start as the number one player. I am just here to play the tournament, like 127 more players with me in the draw."
The 22-year-old also suffered a fitness scare last week when she pulled out of Rome with a shoulder problem but, like Williams, she is confident of being in good shape for her first-round match against Alberta Brianti of Italy.
"I feel pretty good," said Azarenka.
"I came here early. I have been working really hard to feel healthy. I feel much better today. I'm ready to go. I'm excited to start the tournament."
Azarenka has been working with Amelie Mauresmo, and the former Wimbledon champion's experience of handling the pressure of being the great French hope is something Azarenka is tapping into.
"She has a lot of experience to share, not only on court, but off court," said Azarenka.
"She can give me advice how to handle yourself during matches because she's been on the big stage."
