Updated

As she prepares to start the French Open on Sunday against a much-lower-ranked opponent, Serena Williams says she learned something by exiting in the first round at Roland Garros 12 months ago.

Says Williams: "Sometimes I think, 'Should I be happy that I lost last year?'"

Since that only opening-match defeat in 50 Grand Slam appearances, Williams has dominated her sport, going 67-3, returning to No. 1 in the rankings, and winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open to lift her major title total to 15. Only five women have won more, and one of them, Chris Evert, fully expects Williams to keep moving up the list.

Other players in action on Day 1 at the clay-court tournament include Williams' older sister, 30th-seeded Venus, and 17-time major champion Roger Federer.