Australian champion Azarenka happily accepts spotlight

By Bill Scott Jan 29, 2012, 3:55 GMT

Melbourne - Newly crowned Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has no plans to change a thing in her preparation after securing the biggest victory in her career by defeating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 to clinch the top spot in the game.

The 22-year-old from Belarus will on Monday stand in the top spot on the WTA list, with Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova second, Sharapova third and former number one Caroline Wozniacki down to fourth.

Azarenka said that she and her team hope to keep up the momentum which has propelled her to 12 straight wins and two titles in 2012.

'I really have to keep going the same way: one at a time. It's gonna be a long year, a lot of matches. I just want to keep improving. 'There is no limit, really. If I try my best every day, I can reach (higher) little by little. I'm going to try and stay the same.'

Azarenka, who beat Sharapova for the third time in a final, credits her family back home in Minsk for her success. Always in her thoughts is her grandmother, 'the woman who inspires me the most.'

But her post-match attempts to get through on her mobile seemed to go all wrong. 'I got messages, but calls don't go through.

'I think there is a reception (problem). There is some Chinese lady keeps talking something to me when I call. So I'm definitely not getting to the right place.'

Once the technology quirk was solved, the newest champion was able to reflect. 'This is a dream come true. I've been dreaming and working so hard to win the Grand Slam, and being number one is pretty good bonus.

'It took a lot of hard work. I don't want to look back at how long it took me to arrive. I'm here and I'm trying to live in the moment.'