Former world number one Belarus’
Victoria Azarenka has
withdrawn from the
Bad Homburg Open due to illness. The 34-year-old was set to face Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic
in the round of 32 on Monday, but according to the latest report, she withdrew due to illness.
The former world number one announced the development in a post
on her social media platform X—previously known as Twitter. "Hi Everyone! After this week in Berlin, I’ve decided
to head straight to Wimbledon to prepare after coming down with an illness. I’m
sorry to my fans in Bad Homburg, I look forward to hopefully seeing you next
year! London, here we come,” she wrote.
The development can be considered as a serious blow for Azarenka
who started the grass court season on a high. She recently took part in the
Berlin Ladies Open where her journey finally came to an end as she lost in the
semifinal to Anna Kalinskaya with a score of 6-1, 6-7, 6-1. Azarenka is going through a mixed campaign. Her best outing
came in the Miami Open where she was knocked out after losing in the semifinal to
Elena Rybakina with a score of 6-4, 0-6, 7-6.
In Grand Slams this year, Azarenka has had a tough time to
say the least. She participated in the Australian Open where she was knocked out
after losing in the fourth round to Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine in straight sets
with a score of 7-6, 6-4. Her most recent appearance in the mega-event came at
Roland Garros where she was knocked out after losing in the second round to
Russia’s young tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.
It will be interesting to see whether Azarenka will be able
to improve her performance in the upcoming third Grand Slam of the year—Wimbledon—which
will begin from July 01st. The Minsk-born star has a decent record
while playing in London where she her best appearances came in 2011 and 2012
when he journey came to an end at the semifinal stage.