Azarenka calls for equality

Former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka has called for equality for tennis mothers, after Serena Williams was given a seeding of 25 for Wimbledon.

Azarenka, who gave birth to a son in December 2016, was not given the same privilege on her return to Wimbledon last year. When asked about the discrepancy in the policy, she said the rules needed to be applied across the board.

“It’s as simple as you just said it. I didn’t get it last year. She got it this year. My main thing is that it has to be for everyone, and the rules have to be applied for everyone.

“We haven’t come to the conclusion yet, but it’s coming. That conversation is ongoing.”

The Belarusian said the interest generated by Williams’s seeding had been positive, however.

“I think it’s an important conversation that has been started,” she said. “[A] couple of days ago we had a big meeting, and I feel that our voices, as a player council, are heard. I’m pretty proud of what kind of conversations we have been having. We are discussing how we can be a leader in sports to have the best maternity policy.”

The All England Club came under fire last week from world No32 Dominika Cibulkova, as she was bumped out of the seedings by 183rd-ranked Williams.

The 23-time grand slam champion returned to competition on March 8 this year, after giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia, last September.