At the Top, Azarenka Knows The Only Direction From Here, is Down

Written by: Staff on 4th February 2012

At the Top, Azarenka Knows The Only Direction From Here, is Down

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus holds the women's single trophy for a press call on the banks of the Yarra river in Melbourne, Australia, 29 January 2012. Azarenka defeated Maria Sharapova of Russia in the final of the Australian Open on 28 January 2012. EPA/DAVID CROSLING |

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As newly inaugurated world no.1 and the female tennis’ most recently crowned Grand Slam champion, Victoria Azarenka realizes she has set herself up to be knocked down and appreciates there is still no more perilous task in tennis than to face the might of the Williams sisters.

Less than a week after lifting the Australian Open trophy at Melbourne Park following that emphatic final victory over Maria Sharapova, the 22 year-old from Minsk will lead Belarus against the United States in a Fed Cup playoff in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Although Serena Williams is currently suffering from an injured ankle she suffered in Australia and Venus has not played in a recognized match since last September’s U.S.Open, both remain part of American captain Mary-Joe Fernandez’s line-up and at least one of the sisters seems set to face Azarenka.

“They’re both tough players,” said Azarenka. “They know how to play tennis and how to handle big matches. Venus didn’t play for a while but she’s not a beginner. I’m preparing for Serena to be a 100%. There’s no preference really. It’s like you have preference more when you choose your dinner or lunch.

“It’s definitely going to be more challenging being no.1. A lot of people are going to have more motivation against me. But I feel like being no.1 and want to work as I’m no.2.”

Belarusian Tatiana Poutchek revealed Azarenka now tops all popularity polls in her homeland and said: “Everybody was on TV watching the match. It was spectacular. Everybody was talking only about Victoria, about the first Grand Slam, about having her no.1 in the world for the first time. It’s huge.”

And unlike male counterparts such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, the new top player had no intention of failing to serve her country in team competition so soon after an arduous spell in Australia that also saw her win the Sydney title.

“I’m a patriot of my country,” said Azarenka. “I think it’s important for all the athletes to participate and play for your country. We do it pretty much all year long, like Olympic Games. But it’s a special event. It’s the only event where we play as a team. It’s fun. I think it’s important.”

Since her Melbourne triumph, Azarenka flew directly to Los Angeles where she appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres television show and attended a LA Lakers basketball game. After switching from West coast to East she returned to the practice court Thursday but is still on an emotional high.

“It’s a great feeling,” she said. “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. I’ve been busy doing a few off-court activities and also dealing a little bit with the jetlag from Australia, which is difficult.

“I’m really proud. It’s a great feeling to have. But I just want to work hard and try to keep the same motivation as I have now.”

But Azarenka revealed she is considering amending her 2012 schedule and may miss the upcoming Middle East tournaments in Doha and Dubai to give herself sufficient time to rest and enjoy the celebrations in Belarus before the spring double of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and Miami’s Sony Ericsson Open.

Topics: Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka