The elder Williams sister will be allowed to keep the gold and diamond-encrusted racket on offer to the winner of the event if she completes a third Antwerp success after her wins in 2002 and 2003.

"Thinking that I am only four wins away from that racket makes me nervous," the American former world number one told reporters.

"I have a cunning plan for that racket. What I intend to do with it, I'd rather keep to myself. Maybe I'll use it to play some finals with," she joked.

The 24-year-old has a first-round bye in the tournament where most attention will be focused on another former world number one, Belgium's Kim Clijsters [Images], who is making her latest comeback after a serious wrist injury.

Williams, now ranked eight in the world after two years disrupted by injury and loss of form, had to withdraw from the tournament last year.

"I was sick but also injured and there was no point for me to come over here to play," she said. "2004 was difficult for me, I hope that this year will be better.

"I feel strong. You can never tell what is going to happen, of course, but when I play I feel well.

"I am not hurting at all, I am not injured and I have felt fine since the last U.S. Open. I want to be the comeback player of the year."

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