Serena Williams confident of returning to No 1

The former world No 1 says she is capable of returning to the type of form which saw her claim seven Grand Slam titles.

Serena Williams says she can be No 1 in women's tennis again.

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Williams, who begins her Australian Open preparations at the Hobart International starting Monday, said on Saturday she was more than capable of returning to the type of form which saw her claim seven Grand Slam titles and the world No 1 ranking.

"Absolutely. There's no doubt about it. It's just a matter of time. I'm definitely on my way," said the 25-year-old Williams.

Williams arrived in Hobart on Friday and was taken from the airport tarmac to her hotel by limousine.

Heavy rain meant Williams had to practice at an indoor centre on Friday, where she hit up with practice partner Boris Ergun. Her mother, Oracene Williams, acted as ball-girl.

"I'm feeling really good and I'm hitting the ball pretty solid. The courts here are super-fast and that can only help me. If they were slow, it would be a problem," she Williams.

Williams is on a comeback after persistent knee and ankle injuries saw her world ranking slide from 11 in 2005 to 95 at the end of 2006.