Maria Sharapova vowed to return a stronger player after being outclassed by Victoria Azarenka at the Australian Open final.
The Belarusian swept imperiously to her first grand slam title 6-3 6-0 in just 82 minutes to deny the 24-year-old a fourth major title.
Sharapova's game disintegrated in the face of all-out aggression from her younger opponent as Azarenka came from two games down in the first set to win 12 of the next 13 games for a comprehensive victory.
"As in any sport you have your good days, you have your tough days and you have days where things just don't work out. Today Victoria was just too good," said Sharapova, who has now been on the losing end of two of the most lopsided scorelines in a final at Melbourne Park.
"She was the one that was taking the first ball and hitting it deep and aggressive. I was always the one running around like a rabbit, trying to play catch-up all the time.
"She was a step quicker, her shot was bigger. That's not a good combination.
"It all comes down to the last two athletes, winner takes it all after all the players in the draw. I've had great wins here and I've had tough losses but there's no doubt I'll be back."
The Russian has now been runner-up at two of the last three grand slams, after losing last year's Wimbledon decider to Petra Kvitova.
