Former world number one Serena Williams has said that she is coping with the fatigue of playing full-time tennis again.
A foot injury and other health problems forced the 29-year-old to miss 11 months of action and she only returned to the game in June of this year.
Williams has gone on to win the Bank of the West Classic and the Rogers Cup this month, with her latest victory coming in the first round of the Western & Southern Open against Lucie Hradecka yesterday.
The current world number 80 has confessed that her recent run has left her tired but is confident that it will not affect her performance.
"You know, I haven't played in almost a year, and even the year before I didn't play that much," Williams said after the match.
"But, I mean, I would rather have that than fresh legs from not winning.
"You know, I just missed kind of winning. I love to win. I love being out there. I think it kind of motivates me."
Williams will face Samantha Stosur in the second round, the same opponent she defeated in the Rogers Cup final on Sunday evening.
Liam Apicella
