Victoria Azarenka plays down threat from Serena Williams
Double defending champion says she will not focus solely on the challenge from the world No 1
Victoria Azarenka is relishing her return to Melbourne Park as double defending champion and while Serena Williams is a hot favourite to deny her a hat-trick of titles, the Belarusian says she will not focus solely on the challenge from the world No 1.
Azarenka's two grand slam titles have both been achieved without facing the American, who was eliminated in both those tournaments after being hobbled by foot injuries.
As second seed in the lower half of the draw, Azarenka would not meet Williams until the final but the 24-year-old was reluctant to talk up their grand slam rivalry, which has her on the wrong side of an 8-0 head-to-head record.
When asked on Sunday if Williams was the player to beat in Melbourne, Azarenka responded: "Well, if you meet her, yes.
"But everybody is the one to beat here. We have such a high competition right now. You always have to look for every opponent you play. You cannot look past anybody because everybody is prepared, everybody wants it badly.
"[Regarding] her last season, of course, everybody will be motivated to beat her."