Tennis-Serena talks big before Wimbledon

LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) Serena Williams says nobody will be able to beat her at Wimbledon this year if she hits top form.

The American, looking for a third singles crown at the All England Club, is seeded only seventh this year but no one will be taking her lightly, particularly after she clinched her eighth grand slam title in Australia this year.

''I think I'm still the best player out there when I'm playing well,'' she told reporters at Wimbledon today.

''When I'm playing well, it's hard for anyone to beat me ...

it's just a fact. I don't think that anybody who has to play me goes home and shouts for joy.'' Serena missed last year's Wimbledon through injury and was beaten by fellow American Jill Craybas in the third round in 2005.

''I haven't played here for a while ... I love Wimbledon, I love the courts, I'm looking forward to it,'' she said.

''I'm always confident, but I'm feeling really confident this week. The best Serena always shows up when I'm healthy and I'm feeling pretty healthy.'' Williams described her play as ''horrendous'' when bowing out meekly to Justine Henin at the French Open earlier this month, an experience she is in no hurry to repeat.

''It's not going to happen, I'm not going to go out without a fight ... if I go out it will be with a punch, a bang,'' she said.

''I'm definitely more determined, definitely hungry.'' She also warned that her three-times champion sister Venus, with whom she plans to play doubles this year, is raring to go despite a mediocre year and believes she is her biggest threat.

''Venus is the best grasscourt player in the draw,'' she said.

''I think she's the fittest I've seen her. She's playing really well and moving like the wind.'' Serena faces Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino in the first round while 23rd seed Venus is up against Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia.

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