Serena Williams isn't the only former champion and world No.1 gunning to win the Australian Open and join the exclusive ranks as a tennis super-mum.
If she prevails next month, Victoria Azarenka will dedicate a third Open triumph to two-year-old Leo after winning a bitter and traumatic custody battle that will allow her son to travel with her to Australia for the first time.
"I don't know if it will happen in a couple of weeks or whenever but that's definitely my goal and it will mean a lot to me," Azarenka told AAP ahead of her quest to join Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters as the only mothers in 50 years of professional tennis to win grand slam singles crowns.
With the courts previously not permitting Leo to leave California, Azarenka abandoned the tour for six months before returning in March.
After falling out of the top 1000, the Belarusian has climbed back to world No.51 and also reached this year's Wimbledon mixed doubles final to leave her full of hope for 2019.
Azarenka will launch her season at the Brisbane International from December 30 before teaming with men's world No.4 Alexander Zverev and French great Henri Leconte at the World Tennis Challenge in Adelaide on January 7-8.
"I've worked really hard to prepare for this year," she said. "I'm excited and I'm very motivated."
Having Leo with her down under will only add to Azarenka's motivation - and excitement.
"He's a good traveller; he likes to travel, so I'm sure he'll love all the cities and the Australian Open," the 29-year-old said.
"I'll definitely take him to the zoo so he can see all the cool animals you guys have, so it's going to be fun.
"I'm very excited going to Australia because I haven't been there for a while and it's one of my favourite places in the world and I absolutely love the Australian Open and all the tournaments over the Australian summer.
"I'm always looking forward to it."
Fun and frivolities aside, Azarenka plans on being on court for as long as possible during her first Melbourne Park appearance in three years from January 14-27.
"Being a mum is my No.1 priority," she said.
"Being a tennis player is my work, which is also a very high priority, but I've had this year to kind of test it out and see how I can learn a lot more how can balance my own time and spend time with my son.
"So it's been really good - happy to have had this year so I'm a lot more prepared now. I'm feeling good.
"And what would be a success? We have one goal, which is to win the tournament."
