After losing in the first round of Wimbledon for the only the second time in her career, five-time champion Venus Williams insists she is still a great player. Venus also lost in the second round at the French Open. In the past three years, Venus has combined to win only 14 games in her three Wimbledon defeats, all before the second week. Elena Vesnina beat her 6-1, 6-3 on Monday.
"I feel like I am a great player. I am a great player," said Williams, who has been contending with an autoimmune disease. "Unfortunately, I had a deal with circumstances that people don't normally have to deal with in this sport. But I can't be discouraged by that, so I'm up for challenges. I have great tennis in me. I just need the opportunity. There's no way I'm just going to sit down and give up just because I have a hard time the first five or six freakin' tournaments back. That's just not me."
Williams, who missed most of last year due to illness as well as a fair portion this year, has worked her way back into the Top 55. But she conceded that it has been difficult.
"I've been through a lot for years without knowing what I was going through," she said. It's all a culmination at the end of the day. I just try to stay positive and focused on the tennis. You know, not let anything get to me, like crazy questions. But I'm tough, let me tell you, tough as nails."