Azarenka backs variety of women’s game
The unpredictability of women’s tennis is what makes it special, says Victoria Azarenka, who’ll be playing at the ASB Classic next week.
The former world No 1 arrives in Auckland this week hoping the tournament will be the first step towards a third grand slam title.
Injuries and a custody battle with her former partner, Billy McKeague, over their son, Leo, have hampered her in the past two years.
While her results were mixed in 2018, Azarenka has had an off season to fully prepare and is ready to take on a women’s circuit where there’s no such thing as a certain winner.
There have been eight different winners in the last eight women’s grand slam titles. Over that same period all the men’s grand slam titles have been won by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
While these three will go down as being among the greatest of all time, it has also led to too many inevitable results.
The same certainly could not be said of women’s tennis, and Azarenka believes that’s what makes it attractive.
‘‘There is a part of exciting,’’ she told Stuff.
‘‘Over the last 15 years or so, the generations have changed a couple of times, from when I came on the tour and now I feel like a veteran.
‘‘Although when I came on the tour Serena [Williams] was there and today she’s still here. So there are a couple of players that have lasted and it’s the same with [Maria] Sharapova.
‘‘So there are players who are maybe not as consistent throughout the year, but can show a big game and big potential.
‘‘When we had one person winning a lot of grand slams, people were saying it’s boring and always the same person.
‘‘I don’t think everybody will ever be satisfied, because in the men’s tennis that’s been happening for the last 15 years. it that’s
‘‘ As much as I like to watch matchups of Rafa [Nadal], and Roger [Federer], with Novak [Djokovic] and Andy [Murray] they’re winning all the grand slams.’’
Although Azarenka, 29, reached only one semifinal in 2018, it was a disruptive season as she had to deal with lawyers as much as tennis coaches.
Her legal battle still isn’t resolved, but at least she’s had a full off season of training to hopefully be back to her best in 2019.
‘‘That’s the goal,’’ said Azarenka, who is likely to play her first match on what could be a blockbuster Monday session, with Caroline Wozniacki and Eugenie Bouchard also in action.
‘‘I’ve been working hard for the last 10 or so weeks. I’ve put a lot of work in and now it’s time to perform.
‘‘I’m not at the competitive tournament mindset just yet, because it’s a little too early, but I’m looking forward to seeing after all the work I’ve put in, what’s going to come out of that.’’
It can sometimes be a lottery how players perform early in the year, coming into the new season, but Azarenka has a history of being able to hit the ground running. As well as winning the Australian Open twice, she has won the Brisbane Open twice.
But there’s always been something special about Melbourne throughout her career. ‘‘Since I’ve been a junior I’ve played really well there,’’ she said.
‘‘Being the first grand slam of the year, there’s always a lot of excitement, but in general I love the country and the people.’’