"I am always going to push myself to the limit" - Azarenka 'motivated' for Roland Garros title tilt after Kuznetsova win

Victoria Azarenka after her heroics of 2020 hasn't enjoyed the best start to this year with injury setbacks preventing the former World No.1 from continuing her excellence on the court.

The 31-year-old Belarusian has in particular suffered with a back injury and only headed into Roland Garros with one match under her belt on clay.

But saw off Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to book a tie with rising Dane, Clara Tauson in the second round.

Discussing her setbacks, it was more mentally and not being able to play during a difficult spring that was the issue.

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“So it was a bit of a battle,” she said. “Things were getting better. Then I play and things are getting worse. Mentally it was very, very difficult. Taking decisions to withdraw and not play was even more difficult for me.”

Pain-free on court

But despite not being able to figure out what was wrong, she practiced pain free for the first time just over two weeks ago and felt good on court against the Russian.

“It was really encouraging,” she said. “Today playing, I don’t know how long, two-plus hours we played with a lot of movement, a lot of tenacity, so I'm happy about that.”

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Title aims for Azarenka

On her chances at this year's tournament, like many she always comes in with the mission of claiming the title and is looking at the French Open title tilt.

“I feel like I'm motivated more than I was before,” she said. “I feel happy. I feel like I'm learning more, and I'm pushing my own potential.”

“I always feel like I can do something at any tournament. I always believe in myself. I am always going to push myself to the limit.”

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The ⚔️ battle of the former Grand Slam champs goes to 🇧🇾@vika7! She prevails in three sets over Kuznetsova, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. #RolandGarros

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