Serena Williams ready to pounce

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Feline in her movement and sporting scarlet leopard-print to match, Serena Williams made it clear on Saturday she is ready to pounce in Melbourne.

A most unlikely champion here 12 months ago, Williams is back to jealously guard her Australian Open title and is feeling in tip-top condition.

"My body will allow anything really. It's ready for anything," she smiled at reporters in Melbourne Park.

"My preparation's been really good. I've been just training every day and just getting out there on the court every day. So it's been really good and really positive. I like my preparation this year."

Last year, Williams arrived in Australia ranked number 81 after an injury-plagued 2006 and was not considered a realistic prospect at Melbourne Park before she set about carving up the field.

This year, she is in fantastic shape physically and well-prepared yet says she feels no added pressure or weight of expectation.

"I don't feel any pressure at all," she said, shaking her head slowly.

"I feel just, you know, excited to be here. I don't feel like, 'Oh, my God, I have to win, win, win'. I just feel like I'm having so much fun every day.

"You know, last year I was completely under the radar. I had, I mean, absolutely no expectations from anyone and that really made me want to kind of prove everyone wrong.

"This year it's completely opposite where I more or less have a lot of expectations."

Australia's searing temperatures hold no fear for the American who says she is looking forward to sweating it out on court.

"I love playing in the heat, I do. I think it's fun. I'm definitely from the heat. I play my best tennis in the hottest weather. It's great."

(Editing by John O'Brien)