Venus Williams has already made one final this year, her illness worries are behind her, her world ranking is at a respectable level and she still loves playing tennis.
But a first-round exit from the Australian Open on Monday renewed speculation that one of the greatest talents of the past 20 years might be nearing the end of her career.
Williams, whose sister Serena is the Open's top seed, has now suffered three first-round losses from her past six grand slams after falling to Russian 22nd seed Ekaterina Makarova 2-6 6-4 6-4 on day one at Melbourne Park.
After battling illness and injury for the past three years, Williams' game isn't anywhere near the level that won her seven grand slam singles titles and took her to No.1 in the world in 2002.
"I love tennis, it's fun ... I think that is definitely motivation for me," Williams said.
"I train really hard, I was hitting the ball well this week."
While losing to a player ranked outside the top 20 was once almost unthinkable for the player who has been part of the greatest sister act in the history of tennis, Williams is now fending off speculation of imminent retirement.
"Obviously it was disappointing to not win the first round," the 33-year-old said.
"The last 12 months I have had issues, but this year I definitely am looking forward to having a good run and feeling well."
Venus won her first major in 2000, a year after her sister claimed the first of her 17 grand slam crowns, and Venus' most recent grand slam title came at Wimbledon in 2008.
The intervening years have been marred by injury and illness, in particular a bout of the autoimmune disorder Sjogren's syndrome.
But Williams says her problems are in the past and she has the desire to play on.
"I play points really well, and then sometimes I don't put them together as well," she said.
"I feel like I have to be patient with myself ... and keep going and just wait for it to keep coming together."
Williams, who lost in the final in Auckland last weekend to another former world No.1 Ana Ivanovic, will play doubles in Melbourne with her sister, with whom she has already won 13 grand slam titles.
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