Is age catching up with Serena Williams?

Tennis ace Serena Williams has openly claimed that age is not catching up with her, as she insists that better technology prolongs the duration of one's career.

The 32-year-old, who has been unable to play for a month since hurting her back at the Australian Open, is making an earlier-than-expected comeback from the injury at the Dubai Open this week.

Serena's coach Patrick Mouratoglou suggests she might sweep all four Grand Slams in 2014, and that provoked questions about whether the years are taking a toll.

"No, not at all," she said, because the meaning of age has changed, she thought, with fewer younger players appearing in the world's top ten now.

"Maybe this particular generation plays longer than the previous one. Maybe the next one will be shorter. You never know, you know.

"The technology is better, the shoes are better, the rackets are better, the equipment is better. There are different things to do in the gym, so you can have a longer career.

"You don't just go out and play tennis and go to the bar afterwards.

"I don't know if previous generations did that. It's just different. It's more of a job and more of a life-style, instead of something that is in fashion."

However, Serena admitted that the tournament in Dubai will be a journey of exploration - into weighing the condition of her health.

"It's just (a case of) getting back out there and going from there," she said.

"I never try to make excuses, regardless.

"I will really just do the best that I can do this week, and whether it is a win or not, I will just go out there. I don't really feel pressure here so I will just go out there and do the best I can."