Azarenka targets fitness for 2014
Australian Open champion faces Serena in exhibition match
COMEBACK: Azarenka will start her 2014 season with a return to Brisbane where she was forced to withdraw from the semi-finals a year earlier. Photo: AFP
HUA HIN:
World number two Victoria Azarenka said Friday she was battling to get her fitness back on track after a disappointing 2013 as she prepared to face world number one Serena Williams in Thailand.
"Last year I had some difficulties but now I am working hard to keep up my fitness," said the Belarusian 24-year-old before the exhibition match.
Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion who ended 2013 with just three titles, said she was hoping for a victory in the Land of Smiles to bring her good luck again in Melbourne.
"I won this exhibition match for two consecutive years and went on to win the Australian Open which is very good," she told reporters in the seaside resort of Hua Hin.
Serena, 32, ended 2013 with 11 titles while triumphs at the French and US Opens took her grand slam haul to 17.
She enjoyed a match record of 78 wins against just four defeats, claimed the season-ending WTA Championships title and became the oldest number one player.
Asked what would be her next challenge, Serena said, "I just want to enjoy playing tennis. For me, it is the challenge every day. I enjoy playing tennis and am happy to play."
Azarenka has won just three of her 16 meetings against Williams, although she split their four clashes in 2013 and for a second successive season took her great rival to three sets in the US Open final.
World number two Victoria Azarenka said Friday she was battling to get her fitness back on track after a disappointing 2013 as she prepared to face world number one Serena Williams in Thailand.
"Last year I had some difficulties but now I am working hard to keep up my fitness," said the Belarusian 24-year-old before the exhibition match.
Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion who ended 2013 with just three titles, said she was hoping for a victory in the Land of Smiles to bring her good luck again in Melbourne.
"I won this exhibition match for two consecutive years and went on to win the Australian Open which is very good," she told reporters in the seaside resort of Hua Hin.
Serena, 32, ended 2013 with 11 titles while triumphs at the French and US Opens took her grand slam haul to 17.
She enjoyed a match record of 78 wins against just four defeats, claimed the season-ending WTA Championships title and became the oldest number one player.
Asked what would be her next challenge, Serena said, "I just want to enjoy playing tennis. For me, it is the challenge every day. I enjoy playing tennis and am happy to play."
Azarenka has won just three of her 16 meetings against Williams, although she split their four clashes in 2013 and for a second successive season took her great rival to three sets in the US Open final.