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Serena Williams needed a double shot of espresso to kick-start her 2015 season Down Under.

This time, the world No. 1 got an early wake-up call from an eager media upon her arrival in Australia.

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Williams won three of the first four Grand Slam titles of 2015, completing her second Serena Slam before Roberta Vinci denied her the Grand Slam with an epic US Open semifinal upset.

In this Olympic year, the 21-time Grand Slam champion's aims are clear.

"That's why I'm here—to do better than last year," the Williams told the media in Australia.

The reigning Australian Open champion chatted with Australian Hall of Famer Margaret Court, who recalled receiving an umbrella for winning her first Australian championship.

Williams, who won considerably more than rain gear while raising her Grand Slam finals record to 21-4 in 2015, trails only Court (24) and Steffi Graf (22) on the all-time Grand Slam titles list.

Serena says money isn't her motivation as she plays to make history as the Grand Slam queen.




The 34-year-old American arrived in Perth to launch her 2016 campaign with compatriot Jack Sock at the Hopman Cup.

Williams will face Elina Svitolina in her Monday opener with Sock playing Alexandr Dolgopolov. Svitolina said Serena can sometimes be a slow starter launching a new season.

"Sometimes she starts slowly," Svitolina told the AP. "It makes it really tough because you never know if she’s going to serve an ace, or a double fault, or it’s going to be a normal point."

A year ago, a jet-lagged Serena sought a jolt of energy ordering an espresso during her Hopman Cup match against Flavia Pennetta.

"I'm tired," a smiling Serena said after placing her order.



Photo credit: Hopman Cup

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