FIVE-TIME Wimbledon champion Venus Williams is not willing to say goodbye to the big stage just yet despite suffering a first-round exit at SW19.

The 32-year-old was adamant her time as a leading force in the game is not over when reviewing her 6-1 6-3 defeat to Russian Elena Vesnina.

The questions about her came as a result of what was Williams’ first opening-round loss at the tournament since her debut 15 years ago.

A run of dominance along with her sister Serena has occurred in the meantime, although of late she has been plagued by major health problems.

She will return to Wimbledon for the Olympics next month, but also insists that she will be back for another shot at a sixth title in a year’s time.

‘‘I’m planning on it,’’ she said.

Then came an explosive moment, a seemingly reasonable question enquiring what would drive her on after the Olympics ending in the reporter suggesting Williams is ‘‘struggling’’.

‘‘Am I struggling?’’ Williams replied.

‘‘Am I? I don’t know. Tell me what the struggle is.

‘‘I just want you to be clear.

If you say I’m struggling, tell me how I should do better.

‘‘I feel like I am a great player.

I am a great player. Unfortunately, I had to deal with circumstances that people don’t normally have to deal with in this sport.’’ There were no such struggles for tournament favourite Maria Sharapova who started her bid for back-to-back grand slam wins with a victory over Anastasia Rodionova.

The Russian flirted with brilliance in a 6-2 6-3 win, racing into a five-game lead and dropping just three points in the process, before having to adapt a more hardworking approach to see the game out.

Her form and post-match words will send warning signs to her rivals, though, with Sharapova not intent on letting her recent French Open success distract her.

‘‘The first one is always tricky,’’ she said. ‘‘I thought I started off the match really well.

‘‘It was a nice feeling to be back on Centre Court. It’s such a special place for me.

‘‘I’m still very humble and appreciative for what I have. I still believe I can achieve a lot more. That’s what drives me and gets me up in the morning.’’ Sharapova now meets Tsvetana Pironkova, a three-set victor over Vesna Dolonc on Court Four, with Petra Cetkovska following her immediately on court with a routine 6-4 6-2 success over Vania King.

Kim Clijsters was also victorious in her final Wimbledon.

She saw off Jelena Jankovic 6- 2 6-4 and then declared that despite having barely any game time in recent months due to injury, she feels capable of making her mark.

‘‘I believe that if I’m healthy and playing my best tennis that I can beat a lot of top players here,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s a matter of trying to achieve that every match.’’ Li Na, looking for an impressive showing after a firstround exit at the French Open, dropped just four games in beating Ksenia Pervak.

Johanna Konta’s debut against Christina McHale was left on a knife-edge after play was suspended due to fading light with the players locked at 7-7 in the third set.

Konta, born in Australia but now represents Britain, defied all expectations to win a first-set tie-break against McHale, who at 32nd in the world is ranked 180 places above her.