This content was published 8 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

Serena Williams has been world number one since February 2013 but as she looks to claim the Internazionali BNL d’Italia title for a third year in a row, hard work is at the forefront of her mind.

Serena may be 33 but she is showing no signs that her hugely successful career may be coming to an end. To the contrary. Even though her 27-game winning run came to an end at the Madrid semi-final stage to Petra Kvitova on Friday, the American will use that defeat to motivate herself.

“I feel better than I was last week,” she said. “I’ve got some matches under my belt and have been lifting my level.

“It’s important for me to stay positive and not really change too much. Obviously I’ve worked on consistency and not getting into my head so much.

“Madrid was a lesson as well. Whenever I lose I just take so many positive things out of it. I always rectify so I can always do better the next time.

“I respond better to defeat than I used to. I am always disappointed by I always think about what I can do better.

“It feels good (to still be on top). I feel like I’ev done a lot of work to be there. But I don’t forget the work and continue to fight and be consistent to maintain this place at the top.”

Serena first appeared in Rome way back in 1998, and at that time she had plenty of competition just to compete amongst her American compatriots with Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles and sister Venus all competing.

“The first time I came there was so many American players and my goal was to be the best of them,” she said. “There were so many Americans in the top ten so when there are so many players from one country you want to stand out and do the best. I think that’s a good way for young ladies to push themselves and improve.”