Venus laughs off retirement talk

Venus Williams has reassured her fans that she has the desire and ability to add to her seven grand slam titles despite her shock Wimbledon defeat by Tsvetana Pironkova.

Williams was dumped 6-2 6-3 by the world number 82 as her quest for her sixth triumph at the All England Club ended in the quarter-finals. The 30-year-old has not won a major title since her 2008 success at SW19 but she insists the defeat by the 22-year-old Bulgarian is not evidence she cannot win another.

Williams said: "I'll give it up when I'm just terrible. It would take more than just a few bad days in a year to make me quit tennis. So that's not even in the equation."

She added: "I hate losing. I think any time you accept losing, it's definitely a good time to walk away.

"At this time I feel like I'm playing great tennis, but obviously I have to avoid having days like this.

"Why wouldn't I want to pursue this? I'm pretty good at it most days.

"Today (Tuesday) I didn't seem to be the best tennis player, but for the most part, I rock and roll this game."