2012 Australian Open champion says she's even more motivated now

Victoria Azarenka would like seconds, thank you very much.

The world No 1 said on Sunday that winning a Grand Slam has changed her and made her eager for more.

The 23-year-old Belarusian claimed her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open in January.

"(Winning the Grand Slam) changed a lot. It definitely took a lot of pressure off," Azarenka said at the China Open. "Before, I was a good player, but I didn't have that title. There was a lot of pressure to get it.

"Once I won it, I kind of got a little bit relieved and I could focus on different goals and grow more as a player, which also gave me more motivation to play after because I enjoyed that feeling so much that I want to have it again."

She's become a fan favorite in Beijing.

"I definitely felt it today after the practice when I had so many people waiting for autographs with the signs and T-shirts and they were singing songs," Arazenka said.

"It was definitely an incredible feeling, and I feel like, especially with Li Na winning the Grand Slam, tennis grows more and more every year in China, and it's great to see because the population is huge."

Azarenka was seeded second here last year, but withdrew from the third round due to a right foot injury. Coming back as the top seed, she is aiming for a happier ending.

"I'm looking forward to finishing the year strong and I'm motivated to be here. I haven't had good results here yet. It definitely would be a step forward to perform well here," said Azarenka, who lost to American Serena Williams in the US Open final in August.

"I think everybody is a little bit tired. It's been a long year, but it's just a few more pushes and I always look forward to playing tennis. For me, it's exciting."

The former ITF champion, who made her Grand Slam singles debut in 2006, had some advice for younger players.

"I think they need to enjoy what they do, because I'm a big believer that when you enjoy training and playing, you will always do it better because you're in a better mood, you're in a better state of mind," said Azarenka, who won a bronze medal in singles, and a mixed-doubles gold medal at the London Olympics.

"Practice always makes perfect. But you have to have a big picture of what you want to achieve. It's not gonna happen over a day. You have to be patient and put everything you can and you want on your side to be successful."

tangzhe@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/01/2012 page11)