Believing there’s “no limit” to her potential and what she can achieve, newly-crowned world No.1 Victoria Azarenka is eyeing one of the rarest feats in women’s tennis after running off with the Australian Open trophy.
Boasting an all-court game, new-found maturity and confidence, Azarenka is hoping to join modern-day greats Serena Williams, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters as the only women in more than a decade to land back-to-back grand slam titles.
Azarenka knows the women’s game has never been more competitive, with Li Na, Petra Kvitova and Australia’s own Samantha Stosur also becoming first-time major winners in the past year.
But the 22-year-old Belarusian will strive to buck the trend at the French Open in June.
Four of Azarenka’s 10 career titles have come on clay and last year she reached the quarter-finals in Paris for the second time, and then the semis at Wimbledon on grass, after finally unlocking the key to fulfilling her immense talent.
“I played really good on clay and on grass last year. I had great results and I had great results on hardcourt,” Azarenka told AAP on Sunday, still basking in the glory of her 6-3 6-0 Open final demolition of Maria Sharapova.
“I like to adapt. So I think it’s about preparation and adaptation.
“Of course, I don’t want to stop here. I have a bigger motivation right now to go out there and to collect those big, big trophies.
“That self-belief is even bigger right now that I’ve done it and I can go out and do it again.
“I’m really, really hungry for victories ... I feel like there is no limit, really.”
Azarenka, who made her WTA Tour debut at just 13, has been earmarked for greatness for years, but struggled mentally to deal with all the expectations.
She even briefly considered walking away from the sport - at just 21 - after failing to reach the semi-finals of the 2010 season-ending championships in Doha.
Instead, after a pep talk from her grandmother in Minsk, Azarenka resolved to transform herself physically, which helped her conquer her mental demons, much like men’s world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
“Definitely I would like to still improve my fitness because I feel much stronger, but I can get much better and I really believe that.”
VICTORIA AZARENKA
Play Video
Play Video
Play Video
Australian Open champion Victoria AzarenkaAustralian Open champion Victoria AzarenkaReuters
Tennis: No change for Azarenka since Australian Open winTennis: No change for Azarenka since Australian Open winAFP
Golf: Korda wins Australian Open in six-way play-offGolf: Korda wins Australian Open in six-way play-offAFP
I know this is beginning to sound like my diary but after reading The West yesterday morning I started today by reading the responses to my offering of yesterday.Convoluted eh?It is a dangerous business to read feedback. Quite frankly, it can put you...
Has the WAFL got a deal for you.For just $75,000 you and 21 others can throw on the footy gear and pit your skills against a band of State league players. But wait, there's more. The scores don't count but you do get to play with a Burley, not a...
Sponsored links
'The West Australian' is a trademark of West Australian Newspapers Limited 2012.
All rights reserved.
Select your state to see news for your area.
Most Commented