Serena Williams banished her French Open demons with a straight-set 6-2, 6-4 victory over Barbara Zahlavova Strycova in the opening round of Wimbledon, but admitted her big sister Venus' first round exit had affected her.
Serena was knocked out in the opening round of the French Open by Virginie Razzano, with some suggesting her career could be on the downward curve. The American, however, came out all guns blazing in the grass courts of Wimbledon and cruised to a win. Speaking after her victory, Serena said, she always feels extra pressure once Venus bows out of a Grand Slam.
"It always has some sort of effect," the 30-year-old told reporters after the match.
"I always want to play even better if she is out of the tournament, but for the most part, I don't think it has a tremendously huge effect."
Venus was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome, an auto-immune disease which causes chronic fatigue and stiffness to the joints, but Serena marvelled at how her sister has coped with the problems so well.
"I don't even know how she can do what she does and still run her business and still play -- and play pretty darn good tennis and still be so positive," Serena said.
"What I've learned for the most part is whatever I'm going through, I can learn from her."
After her French Open disappointment, Serena stayed in Paris and worked under Patrick Mouratoglou. The American admitted her Roland Garros debacle had made her more determined to do well in Wimbledon.
"I learned that, you got to keep going," she said. "I was playing excellent before Paris. I hadn't felt that good in a long time going into a Grand Slam. I was really disappointed.
"But, you know, as Kelly Clarkson says, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger'."
Serena faced a tough opponent in the first round, with Strycova constantly coming to the net and giving her American opponent plenty of food for thought. Serena admitted she was relieved to cross the first hurdle.
"There was definitely a little bit of relief. I mean I was letting out a lot of cries throughout the match. I was just happy to get through that.
"It was definitely a different match for me. I don't think I was counter-punching, but she was definitely being really aggressive and hitting a lot of drop shots and coming to the net.
"But it was good; I mean if I play anyone like that in the rest of the tournament, it was a great opportunity for me to play someone like this.
Serena revealed her admiration for Maria Sharapova, who overcame a long-standing shoulder problem to complete a career Grand Slam at the French Open and regain her No 1 ranking.
"Yeah she had a lot of issues and it took her about five years to get back. (She won the French Open) a couple of weeks ago and I was happy and proud for her. I looked up to that, because I have had some issues myself.
"I'm a year back and I am already in the top 10 and I am just trying to do like she does and keep going."
