Azarenka and Rusedski: The unconventional yet exciting coaching team for Wimbledon

Victoria Azarenka has seemingly started a fairly intriguing pairing coaching wise ahead of Wimbledon as she tackles grass with Greg Rusedski seen on court with the former World No.1.

The British Canadian reached the Quarter-Finals of Wimbledon back in 1997 in the same year he reached the final of the US Open. He was a former World No.4 that year but he hasn't stepped into coaching. He is often seen as a pundit and commentator and is well regarded in tennis circles.

He was rumoured to be joining the team of Denis Shapovalov last year alongside Peter Polansky as he looked to revive his career after injury. But nothing came of it. He was seen though by prominent journalist, Carole Bouchard putting Azarenka through her paces this morning.

Whether this is a permanent or temporary coaching arrangement remains to be seen especially given that Azarenka is a former World No.1 and multiple Grand Slam champion. She has been coached by Maxime Tchoutakian from 2021 onwards with Dorian Descloix being there during her revival. She was also coached by prominent coaches Wim Fissette and Sam Sumyk previously.

But given Rusedski is a prominent face on site at Wimbledon, clarity will likely be there soon enough about his role and whether it is more of a consultancy/temporary gig or more permanent. But given the rumours about Shapovalov, he has seemingly some sort of want to get into coaching.

She didn't play in Bad Homburg this week. She faces Sloane Stephens in a blockbuster opening round at Wimbledon. She lost in the semi-finals to Anna Kalinskaya last week in Berlin so is in good form ahead of Wimbledon. She has a best of a semi-final back in 2011 and 2012 at Wimbledon, one of only two Grand Slams that she has not reached the final or better of.