Justine Henin revealed it felt good to be back 'in white' as her return to the Wimbledon Championships got off to a successful start.
The former world No.1 was competing at the All England Club for the first time since ending 20 months in retirement at the start of the year, and began her quest for a maiden title at SW19 with a straight-sets triumph over Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova.
Wimbledon is the sole glaring omission from Henin's bulging trophy cabinet in a career that has brought her four French Open crowns, two US Open triumphs and an Australian Open victory, and her desire to put that right was a motivating factor in her decision to return.
While this exclusive corner of London has brought Henin more pain than glory down the years - her defeats in the finals of 2001 and 2006 are chief among her regrets - she admitted it felt reassuring to be back on the revered venue's famous grass courts.
"I have a very good feeling. From the first minute it was good to be back and I think I am seeing things differently. I am probably enjoying it more, and it's been only good things since I arrived," the 17th seed revealed.
"The atmosphere, the way we breathe tennis and live tennis here, we feel the tradition of the game and I feel it's just fantastic that I have the opportunity to live it again, and I feel very lucky."
"To be back on grass is a good feeling here. The grass is the best here and that helps. To play in white is a good feeling too, and I feel I'm at the right place, so that's a good thing."
Just hours after fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters had triumphed on her SW19 comeback following two years in retirement, Henin produced a workmanlike display against Sevastova to ensure she too would be present in round two.
Henin was forced to dig deep in a competitive opening set against the world No.57, who also suffered a first-round exit in her only previous outing at SW19 12 months ago.
After sharing early breaks in the first and with the score at 4-4, Henin's class finally began to tell.
A poor service game saw Sevastova slip to 0-40 on a wild and wide forehand, and Henin punished her with a devastating return winner to take the key break before holding to seal the opener.
With the second set going with serve to 3-3, Henin turned the screw in the seventh game, forcing her opponent onto the back foot before earning a break-point chance.
A firm forehand return forced a mis-hit from Sevastova, who skied the ball to present Henin with an easy smash to take the break and the initiative.
A trademark one-handed backhand winner was the standout shot of the next game as Henin held to love, and another break in the next did for Sevastova, after just 59 minutes on court.
A fourth-round date with compatriot Clijsters awaits Henin if all goes to plan for both players, and victory in that match would move Henin into the zone where a title tilt would become a serious possibility.
But Henin concedes it is still too early to look that far ahead.
Reflecting on the chances of claiming a first Wimbledon title, she said: "It's been one of the reasons for coming back. I don't