(CNN) -- Two years after losing part of her lung during an operation to remove a life-threatening blood clot, newly-crowned U.S. Open champion Serena Williams insists playing tennis "is just fun now."
The world No. 1's battle-weary opponents might not be having so much fun after Williams successfully defended the Flushing Meadows title she won in 2012 against the same opponent, beating second seed Victoria Azarenka 7-5 6-7 6-1 to secure her fifth singles championship in New York.
It is a far cry from where the now 17-time grand slam singles champion was in July 2010 when she suffered a cut to her right foot and was later diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism which left her on her death bed.
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That 11 months of "hell" culminated in her descent to No. 175 in the world rankings in July 2011.
Since then four grand slams have been won by Williams during a truly dominant 14-month spell.
One more major triumph would see her sit level with legendary compatriots Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert in fourth position on the list of the most prolific female grand slam champions of all time.
"It was the toughest thing I've been through in my life," the 31-year-old told CNN. "One thing kept happening after another, blood clots in both of my lungs, I lost part of my lung, I had to retrain. I don't have two full lungs anymore.
"You go through this stage of thinking, 'Why does all of this keep happening.' It was really 11 months of hell.
"When I'm on that court and I'm facing opponents, I feel like I've faced so many tougher opponents that this is just fun now."
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Serena Williams of the United States celebrates match point against Maria Sharapova of Russia during their women's singles final match of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Saturday, June 8. Williams won 6-4, 6-4.
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President Barack Obama awarded Bille Jean King the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House in 2009.
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Williams' lung problems only became obvious when she was rushed into hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties en route to an Oscars party in March 2011.
"Being in the emergency room and being in hospital for all of that time, not knowing if I would ever pick up a racket again, not even caring, just wanting to be healthy," recalled Williams. "That was a tough time for me."
She is indeed healthy again and operating at the peak of her powers at an age when many of her contemporaries are seemingly struggling to last the pace.
Roger Federer has seen his vice-like grip on men's tennis loosen as he heads deeper into his 30s, while Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli retired last month at the age of 28.
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However, Williams maintains a childlike enthusiasm for sport, aided in no small way by the perspective she gained during her battle to regain her form and fitness.
"I feel like just going for broke now," she said. "I'm really focused on what I want to do, I'm just having a lot of fun out there.
"I'm like '31 is old,' but that doesn't seem like me. I don't act like it [her age] either so maybe that has something to do with it."
Williams' muscular physique sets her apart from physically smaller opponents and she remains proud of how she managed to combine power with femininity.
"It's OK to be strong and to be powerful and to be beautiful and to love who you are," she added.
"You can stand up to anyone and you can be proud of who you are, where you come from and be a positive awesome girl."
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Williams celebrates with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy following her victory.
Sharapova serves to Williams.
Williams plays a forehand against Sharapova.
Sharapova serves to Williams.
Sharapova serves against Williams.
Williams returns a shot to Sharapova.
Sharapova returns to Williams.
Sharapova serves to Williams.
Williams reacts after a point against Sharapova during their match.
Williams returns a shot to Sharapova.
Tennis fans watch the big screen outside Court Suzanne Lenglen in Paris before the match between Williams and Sharapova.
King made her tennis debut back in 1959. Here, competing under her maiden name Moffitt, she plays a forehand volley during her Wimbledon semifinal in 1964.
King holds aloft the 1975 Wimbledon trophy after beating Evonne Cawley in the final. It was her sixth and final singles triumph at the grass court grand slam.
The 55-year-old Bobby Riggs cuts a forlorn figure as he slips to defeat against King in the famous "Battle of the Sexes" at Houston in 1973.
Riggs and King embrace after the famous encounter in 1973. King won the match in straight sets.
Actress Holly Hunter played King in a special TV film based on the Riggs match, which had a $100,000 winner-takes-all prize.
King was the senior member of a powerful 1978 U.S. Wightman Cup team which also included Chris Evert and Tracey Austin.
King presents Maria Sharapova with a check for $1 million after the Russian superstar won the WTA Championships in 2004 -- beating Serena Wiliams in the final.
King is joined by Lindsay Davenport, Andy Roddick, Elton John, Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova, Tommy Haas and Jan-Michael Gambill at a World Team Tennis charity day.
King, in her role as captain of the United States Fed Cup team, gives a pep talk to Monica Seles during a 2000 tie against Belgium.
WTA founder King is flanked by Sharapova and Williams at a special gathering of former No. 1s to mark the organization's 40th anniversary.
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