Intro:

Serena Williams takes a boat trip down Brisbane River on New Year's Day.

Script:

Serena Williams, despite having a day off on New Years Day was in bed the night before by midnight and instead up early for a cruise around Brisbane.

The world number one is due to play Daniela Cibulkova in the quarter finals of the WTA Brisbane International on Thursday, after defeating Andrea Petkovic in her opening game of the new season.

Williams is the defending champion in Brisbane - which kicked off a glittering 2013 for the American.

Williams won 11 titles last year, including two majors at the French Open and the US Open.

And the World Number One looked to be in relaxed mood here in Queensland...

"Like I said, being here in Brisbane is really cool. It's my third year here and I feel like I am more at home - I know places, I know people, I see more familiar faces - so it is a really, really good feeling for me."