Relaxed Mauresmo aims to enjoy title defence

MELBOURNE, Jan 14 (Reuters) Amelie Mauresmo plans to savour the moment when she walks on court at the Australian Open tomorrow, for the first time the talented Frenchwoman will stride into a grand slam arena as defending champion.

''Once you've tasted what it is to win the big ones, you really want to feel that again and you really want more,'' Mauresmo said today, repeating a mantra that has been heard many times over since last January.

''That's how I feel right now in this beginning of 2007.

Maybe I will have the opportunity to live some great moments again. I want to make sure I try my best to be able to go through these great moments.'' Over the past year, the world has been able to glimpse a much more assured and relaxed Mauresmo.

Her success in Melbourne Park followed by her run to the Wimbledon title six months later not only allowed her to finally bury her grand slam demons, but also rubber stamped her credentials as one of the most talented women to have picked up a tennis racket.

For seven years, though, the monkey was well and truly glued to her back.

Ever since she burst on to the world stage by reaching the final here in 1999, she circumnavigated the globe many times over but achieved little except giving her air-miles account a healthy boost.

Twenty three attempts to land an elusive grand slam title went begging until she finally grabbed one of the big four 12 months ago with victory over Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Now, the 27-year-old feels she has nothing to prove to anyone but herself.

''I'm going to go through this in a very relaxed way,'' said the second seed, who opens her campaign against American Shenay Perry.

REUTERS SAM KP1227