I have just had probably the busiest, and certainly one of the most rewarding, weeks of my career. It’s an experience I will never forget.
Where do I start?! Just to backtrack a little bit: I had a very nice holiday in Australia after leaving Melbourne. I also did some fitness work while I was there, and enjoyed the beaches. My surfing has improved a lot!
I arrived in Belgrade on Sunday. Even though the Fed Cup matches didn’t start until Saturday, we spent almost a whole week preparing, and taking part in many off-court activities.
I’ve made no secret of my love for Melbourne or this tournament. I was therefore concerned when I heard reports that its long-term future is not entirely safe.
For me, it simply isn’t even a question: the Australian Open should remain in Melbourne. I am very young and admit I am no expert on the history of the game, but for me as a player I feel that this tournament belongs here as much as any of the other three Grand Slams belong in their current locations. To move any of them would be unthinkable.
It's been a very exciting first week with many great matches and storylines to follow. Unfortunately, I became one of them on Friday night.
I didn't find anything close to my best tennis here, but I tried my hardest and I cannot do more than that.
Sometimes your game just isn't there. I'm going to take a few days off, maybe have a holiday somewhere in Australia, think about what went wrong and how I can improve.
The week before a grand slam can sometimes be a little boring. I love competing so much I often get restless and want the tournament to start.
But the past week was enjoyable from a social viewpoint.
Practice conditions varied. One day the heat was intense, the next it was very windy. Several people have been complaining about the cold, too.
The weather in Melbourne is crazy!
Many players have their routines and I'm no different. During matches I always have a song playing in my head and this week it was Beyonce's Single Ladies.
So when I take to the court it's as if I have my iPod with me. It helps me relax and stay focused, but I still hear the sounds in the stadium, of course.
It's a great thrill to play in new stadiums such as the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, where I competed during the week. It's a beautiful facility and I was honoured to play the first night match there.
I first of all want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! I will probably have a fairly quiet time this evening, just a nice dinner with my team. I may stay up till midnight, but it will be tough considering that I’ve been going to bed quite early lately, and getting up early in the mornings.
It’s hard to believe that the new season is upon us already, but it’s a very exciting time for me, and I’m sure for every other player too. A new season always represents new opportunity, and I am always very motivated.
I feel like I've done a lot over the past month or so. I’ve even been to a couple of football matches. The first one was in Belgrade. It was Serbia against Bulgaria and it was the last match of Savo Milosevic before he retired. I know him a little bit after he came to my birthday party last year. He’s a great guy and I was lucky to get the chance to go down onto the pitch to meet him after the game.
I’ve been training in Spain for the past two weeks. I bought a holiday home in Mallorca. It’s a very quiet and peaceful area, so it’s a perfect place to train and relax. I have always liked Mallorca: I used to come here to train when I was 15.
I will continue to live in Switzerland, but this gives me another option for training, especially in the winter when you can practise outdoors.
My cousin visited me when I moved in, which was very nice. The neighbours have been very friendly too.
What a year it has been! I was talking to my team before I left Doha and someone said that so much happened that it was like three seasons – I definitely feel that way.
Now that the season is over I can reflect on some amazing experiences. Obviously the last few days of the French Open, when I reached No.1 and then won my first Grand Slam title are the highlights of my year, and the highlights of my career up to this moment. It's been the best year of my career so far.
I will arrive in Doha on Saturday night. I've been training in Dubai for the past few days. I preferrred to go there than arrive at the tournament very early, because it was a little quieter and a more relaxed environment.
It's been a long season, but I feel like I'm in good condition ahead of the last event of the year. I have great motivation for this event - then I will enjoy a very relaxing break afterwards!
