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Amelie Mauresmo says she is hungering for more grand slam glory after her breakthrough victory in last year's Australian Open.
Mauresmo has fond memories of Australia after her victory over Justine Henin-Hardenne in the 2006 final at Melbourne Park.
Henin-Hardenne retired with an upset stomach while trailing 6-1, 2-0, leaving Mauresmo to claim the Grand Slam trophy - seven years after her only previous appearance in a major final, also in Melbourne.
Mauresmo had success over Henin-Hardenne in the Wimbledon final six months later and is now eyeing an Australian Open encore.
"I want more because once you've tasted what it's like you want more," Mauresmo said Sunday ahead of her appearance at this week's Sydney International.
The French world No.3 will be top seed at the Sydney International following Henin-Hardenne's withdrawal last week after the reported break-up of her marriage and the absence of Maria Sharapova.
Henin-Hardenne will also not be playing in the Australian Open.
"I'm looking forward to being back in Melbourne, to feel what it's like to come back to a place where you had a grand slam the year before," Mauresmo said.
Mauresmo, who has also had two spells as the world No.1, said being a grand slam champion had brought contentment to her life.
"The relief is really there professionally but also in my normal life," said the Geneva-based 27-year-old.
"It was really starting to get to my mind and I was starting to ask myself some questions - am I going to finish my career without a grand slam? - and it was starting to be a little bit painful.
"I've now achieved all that I've said I would love to achieve in my career."
"It (the relief at winning a grand slam) translates into my game, being a bit looser and also off the court, not being so stressed out."
Mauresmo has spent the brief off-season cross-country skiing in Europe to prepare for the rigours of an Australian summer campaign.
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AFP 070935 GMT 01 07
COPYRIGHT 2006 Agence France-Presse. All rights reserved.







