Williams confident of playing good tennis again

Venus Williams, without a title in 16 months and beaten here as early as the second round, believes she still has what it takes to succeed at the highest level – and has the desire to prove it.

I know I’m good at it, and I have to keep giving myself a chance and just keep going forward,” Venus responded.

But Venus may still be more ambitious than some people realise, especially as she was good enough to have beaten a Kvitova who was playing not too far from her best.

“I realize I have to pay my dues,” Venus added, meaning that she cannot expect immediately to re-acquire an ability to win tight matches after a lengthy period away from big competitive situations.

Serena had been reported as saying she could play neither here nor in Indian Wells next month because of the bad back sustained at the Australian Open more than three weeks ago.

Venus conspicuously declined to refute this possibility of reconciliation this week, and then articulated further reasons for hoping for better days ahead for herself.