Serena Williams has praised the Melbourne fans after blitzing Dinara Safina in less than an hour to take the Australian Open title.
'I was just a ballboy,' says Safina
Serena Williams has spoken of her love of Melbourne after blitzing Dinara Safina in less than an hour to take the Australian Open title on Sautrday.
Williams demolished Safina 6-0 6-3 to claim her fourth singles crown in Melbourne, and the 10th Grand Slam title of her career
"I absolutely, clearly, love playing here," said the 27-year-old, who moved back to the top of the world rankings with the win.
"You guys root for me so much. I don't get that everywhere. So thank you so much."
Williams cruised through the first set in just 22 minutes but said she knew she had to keep up the pressure on the Russian.
"I saw that it was so fast and I throught okay I've got to stay focussed," she added
"I thought 'Safina, she's a warrior, she never gives up, she's been down a couple of match points already in the tournament, so I've got to stay focussed."
Despite the emphatic manner of her victory, Williams found time to praise Safina, who is still seeking her first major title.
Too good
"Dinara is going to have a great future," she said. "She is hitting so hard at the moment that I had to go for broke against her today. That's all I could do."
Safina apologised to the Melbourne Park crowd after the match, saying that she had felt little more than a ballboy in the face of Williams' onslaught.
"I don't have much to say. I didn't even spend one hour on the court," she said. "I want to congratulate Serena, she was too good today.
I was just a ballboy on the court today. I'm sorry it (the final) was not longer. I hope that next year I will come and hopefully do better."
Williams said she was thrilled to join a select band of players, including Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova, who have won 10 or more Grand Slams.
"I idolised Steffi Graf," she said. "When I played her I was like 'Oh My God, it's Steffi Graf'.
"And Martina Navratilova was someone who was my role model, so when I think of these greats I don't really think of my name, I think of them.
"I think people are starting to think of me (in those terms), which is uber-cool, I can't even get my mind around that."
