ISTANBUL (AFP) - Tennis star Victoria Azarenka says that watching her boyfriend Redfoo, the singer, dancer and rapper, has helped her deal with the fame she has acquired over the last two years.

Azarenka, who has a developing rivalry with Serena Williams after conceding the world No. 1 ranking to the American earlier this year, used to find it hard to handle the limelight.

But Redfoo has offered the Belarussian insights into how to deal with it.

"It's funny because he's a funny dude. I watched him on X Factor and stuff and we talked about it," she said.

"It's actually fun because I know him from one side and then I see him on TV from another side. It's exciting.

"It shows you have always to be really just you. It doesn't matter who you are. It's the best way to be more personal with anyone - supporter or press or anyone - you have to be open and honest."

Another difficulty for her is that she is trying to get the better of a rival pushing to be recognised as the greatest woman player of all time.

Williams is seeded to meet Azarenka in the final of the WTA Championships, the women's tour season-ending event, next Sunday.

Williams has 17 Grand Slam titles and, according to Billie Jean King, founder of the WTA Tour, "she should be, could be, the best that's ever lived".

Azarenka tries not to be daunted by that.

"We have a lot of very good battles. That's what it takes with Serena, to take you to the next level. Sometimes, when you feel like you don't want to go to the gym or fight hard on the tennis court, and there is someone behind you, or above you, it gives extra motivation."