Jun 26, 2012 02:00 AM EDT
Wimbledon 2012 Schedule: Venus Williams Vows to Return Stronger After Early Exit

Venus Williams vowed to return to Wimbledon, after suffering her earliest exit in the Grand Slam in 15 years.

Williams, who is on the comeback trail after being diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome, was a pale shadow of the dominant player that has won five titles in London, going down to 73rd-ranked Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-3 in the first round on the opening day.

Venus felt, it was just a big achievement just to be back on Tour.

"Definitely a big victory to be back. A lot of people would not even have to opportunity to even come back, so I'm grateful for this opportunity and with each day that passes, that means I have another chance.

"If the sun comes up, I have another chance.

"So I have to make good on that chance and prepare the best I possibly can and see what that brings and continue to be positive and continue to figure out how to live my life and how to play sport in this life.

Clearly suffering from the chronic fatigue and stiffness to her joints, associated with Sjogren's, an incurable auto-immune disease, Venus said she was going to take it as a challenge and try to overcome her difficulties.

"I'm just, you know, a couple of months into getting back on tour. Life is challenging, but I'm always up for a challenge. I have great tennis in me, I just need the opportunity.

"I feel like the tour will be around for a few months more this year and I will just be around and try to improve my game.

"I feel like I'm a great player. I am a great player. I just have to deal with circumstance that people don't have to normally deal with in sport, but I can't be discouraged by that you know.

"These negative experiences are not fun, I just feel like I need to use these negative experiences and turn them into positives and make it a whole lot better. It's easy to be productive when you're positive, so, that's what I work on.

Williams, who has not reached a Grand Slam final for three years, said she was relieved when the disease was finally diagnosed last September. "I've been through a lot for years without knowing what I was going through," she said.

"I just try to stay positive and focused on the tennis, not let anything get to me, like crazy questions. But I'm tough, let me tell you, tough as nails."

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