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| Intimidation tactics: Victoria Azarenka starts the Australian Open as a second seed behind Serena Williams but defiantly says she 'doesn't care' |
Victoria Azarenka covets third Australian Open title, Novak Djokovic bets Boris Becker gamble will pay off and underdog Bernard Tomic dares to dream of Rafael Nadal's fall at Sydney International
Open winner not scared of Serena
Victoria Azarenka is confident that she can make it three Australian Open titles in a row despite stating the tournament as second seed behind Serena Williams.
The Belarusian said that she had no complaints about Williams, who was due to get her campaign under way last night, coming into the event as favourite.
“I don’t really care about it, honestly,” Azarenka said. “I never cared about it. For us, it’s a matter of playing tennis and giving your best on the court. Everybody will be motivated to beat her.”
Azarenka is due to begin her campaign against Sweden’s Johanna Larsson on Rod Laver Court tonight .
Becker Gamble Excites Djokovic
Novak Djokovic accepts that he has taken a gamble by hiring Boris Becker as his head coach.
After losing the US Open final against Rafael Nadal last year and ceding his No1 ranking to the Spaniard, Djokovic decided that he needed a change and brought in the six-time grand slam champion.
Djokovic said: “Whenever you make a change in life, it’s a potential risk. But I don’t want to think from that perspective. I’m really excited about this co-operation. I’m excited about this partnership that I have with Boris.
“All I see is positive results, and I hope for that, obviously. I cannot predict or promise anything now.”
Tomic Boasts of Threat to Nadal
Bernard Tomic believes that he is capable of beating top seed Rafael Nadal in the first round tonight , but knows he will have to be at his best.
The local favourite was hammered in the Sydney International final by fifth-ranked Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday, but had been in good form.
Few believe Tomic, 21, has much of a chance against the 13-time Grand Slam winner, but the Australian said: “Everything is possible these days, everything is possible.
“I’m playing good. I’m pretty confident. I’ve just got to play the tennis I played early throughout Sydney. Obviously if I can do that I’m going to give myself a chance. It’s going to be difficult, going to have to be one of those days where I can play my best.”
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