Living in the moment ... Serena Williams. Photo: AFP
THERE is little in the way of good news for Serena Williams's Australian Open rivals. Just bad news - and worse news.
As good as it gets is Williams's declaration that someone else might win the tournament. ''Everyone in this draw has to win seven matches,'' she said on Saturday. ''They have the same opportunity to do it as I do.''
A red-hot favourite for a sixth Australian crown, the American comes to Melbourne Park as the reigning Wimbledon, Olympic and US Open champion and the victor at last week's Brisbane International.
The 15-time major champion won the lead-up event without losing a set and sees no reason her frightening form won't continue.
''I don't think about it's going to stop,'' Williams said. ''Am I going to do this, that. No, I kind of live in the moment and go with that.''
It is a state of normality for her.
''I feel really calm actually. I feel really calm and really relaxed. I don't feel like I'm doing anything over the top. I think for me that's a key.''
In 2002, Williams won the French and US Opens and Wimbledon and says she feels she is playing just as well now at the age of 31. ''I feel like I'm just in the moment right now,'' she said. ''For this moment, I'm playing well. I really hope I can keep it up and continue to play well.''
Even Belarusian defending champion Victoria Azarenka, the world No.1, feels she must beat Williams to win again. ''Yeah, I think so,'' she said.
But she remains buoyed by the boost winning last year's title gave her.
''It gave me a lot more self-belief,'' Azarenka said. ''I always thought of myself as a really good player. But that mental edge to kind of make the difference, it definitely helped to bring a lot of inner confidence in yourself, knowing that you can do it.''
If Williams or anyone else wants to prise the trophy away from the Belarusian, they will not do it without a battle. ''That feeling that I had was incredible,'' Azarenka said. ''Since then, I want to feel it again. This is what motivates me even more every day. It's amazing, when you achieve your dream, your goal, how much more motivated I was after that.''
Azarenka also knows she will have to maintain the level of play which won her the Australian crown if she is to keep her hands on it.
AAP
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