The tennis world will be buzzing with the news regarding Victoria Azarenka. Just seven months after the birth of her son she will return to the WTA circuit. The return will be made in the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford. Azarenka has already triumphed in this tournament in 2010 with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Maria Sharapova. The double Australian Open champion will be eager to start her comeback and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Kim Clijsters.
Victoria Azarenka in 2016
The last we saw of the Belorussian was at the French Open last year where she had to retire during her first round match with injury. It was her preceding results that really made an impact on the WTA tour. She started the year by winning Brisbane without dropping a set. This was followed up with a quarter final showing in the Australian Open. A fantastic tournament ended with defeat to eventual champion Angelique Kerber. Two months later she became only the third women ever to win the Sunshine Double by winning both Indian Wells and Miami The two women to achieve this before her were Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters. Not a bad group to join.
On December 20th 2016, Victoria Azarenka gave birth to Leo; however, there was no doubt that she would return. Tennis on the WTA tour is going through a strange yet entertaining phase. With Kerber’s rise to the top, Serena’s shrinking schedule and the likes of Muguruza and Pliskova stepping up and challenging the elite, the WTA is arguably more open then ever. This may also be due to the absence of Kvitova, Sharapova and of course Azarenka. Nevertheless there is a good chance that Victoria can get back to where she belongs quicker than we expect. At only 27 years of age there is no reason to suggest she is in the twilight years of her career.
Following in the Footsteps of Clijsters
Vika (as she is commonly known) will be looking to emulate Kim Clijsters and other successful tennis playing mothers. After giving birth,the Belgian legend won her very first Grand Slam tournament back. The monumental win came at the US Open in 2009. The US Open will most likely be Azarenka’s first Grand Slam back as well. Will lightning strike twice?
The former world #1 has been deeply missed on the tennis circuit. Everybody loves her electrical personality and her fierce passion for the game. In the last few days of July all eyes will be glued to Stanford to see the return of the iconic Victoria Azarenka.
