AUCKLAND, New Zealand – In two weeks, 2015’s WTA Comeback Player Of The Year – Venus Williams – will try to keep her momentum going, kicking off her 2016 season at the ASB Classic. The big question about the new year isn’t whether she’ll be able to defend her title there, though – it’s something bigger.

Can the seven-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 capture another major?

If the hunger she described in November in Zhuhai – where she won her third WTA title of the year – is anything to go by, the World No.7 might just get back into that Grand Slam winner’s circle again.

“Being back in the Top 10 is what every player is working for, and I’m really excited about it, but I’m still very hungry. I’m ready for more,” Williams said. “I’ve had so many experiences in tennis but I still expect a lot from myself – I’m very happy to be moving forward, but I want to continue.

“I don’t want to stop. I want to keep improving in the rankings and winning events and all that.”

After falling as low as No.137 in the world a few years ago after her Sjögren’s Syndrome lay-off, a lot of people wrote her off – and they kept writing her off as she struggled to stay in the Top 20.

But Williams has silenced the doubters before, and she’s just done it again.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, everyone is willing to write you off. No one thought I would win Wimbledon in 2005 – I was 24 years old, and in sports people always think you’re done. But you’re not done until you say you’re done. I won that title that year, and it meant everything to me.

“I believed in myself,” Williams continued. “That’s one of the trophies I keep in my bedroom because it represents believing in yourself, really just trusting your instincts, and betting on yourself.”

Williams’ first shot at her eighth Grand Slam title will come at the Australian Open. Along with the French Open, it’s her toughest major – her best result in Melbourne is one final, just like in Paris.

But there’s a new kind of aggression coming off the Williams racquet lately – she’s always been one of the most aggressive players in the game, but the years of experience have brought even more clarity.

“At this stage of life it’s about finding that happy medium of playing the percentages, being smart and using your experience, but at the same time continuing to be aggressive,” she explained. “For me, it’s innate. I would be aggressive on every single shot if I could. It’s not the smartest thing to do – you have to work the point, and you have to realize what to do on the court at the right times.

“But there’s always a part of me that’s very free, like the young player who went for every shot.”

How will the former World No.1 do Down Under? Follow all the action right here on wtatennis.com!