(VIDEO) Victoria Azarenka's son Leo steals the show at Indian Wells, rates first round win to set up Zheng Qinwen tie
WTA
Victoria Azarenka won through her opener at the 2024 Indian Wells Open on Wednesday (March 5) defeating local favourite Clervie Ngounoue in straight sets but it was her son Leo who stole the show afterwards.
Joining her on court, the Belarusian received a rating from her son on her performance. Before arriving in Indian Wells, Azarenka had lost four out of six matches so perhaps it is the Leo factor of her son being there this time around that helped.
She got the better of the American qualifier 6-4, 7-6(7) and will hope to gain confidence going into a tie with Zheng Qinwen in the second round. Her seven year old son rated the display '3.5/4' while criticising her return of serve. Learning fast already.
"Three point five, minus returning the serve... out of four!," Leo said after being quizzed by the on court interviewer about Azarenka's performance. Leo has been a feature before of post match interviews being invited onto Tennis Channel and he took to the court to knock a few balls around in Berlin after Elena Rybakina was forced to retire.
Kids are always honest 😂@vika7's son, Leo, rates her performance tonight 🎾#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/lTWCpCSF1K
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 6, 2025
Zheng Qinwen awaits
Next up is Zheng Qinwen who she has a 2-0 Head to Head record in favour against the World No.9 who has massively struggled this season. Azarenka won the title in Indian Wells in 2012 and 2016 albeit she hasn't gone past the third round since 2021.
Her opponent has Pere Riba back in the fold after the coach had to take some time off due to surgery after her incredible season. She had a temporary coach in situ but lost shockingly to Laura Siegemund in Australia and didn't make much of her Middle Eastern swing.
She is part of a contingent of players who in reality haven't kicked on again after incredible 2024 campaigns. Azarenka like alluded to hasn't been in top gear herself so it is an intriguing one certainly.
Match Info
Start time (local): Not scheduled yet
Start time (your time): Not scheduled yet
Tournament: BNP Paribas Open
Round: Round of 64
Head-to-Head
| Zheng | Azarenka | |
|---|---|---|
| H2H Record | ||
| Total Wins | 0 | 2 |
| Win Streak | 0 | 2 |
| Ranking | ||
| Official Ranking | 9 | 35 |
| Race Ranking | 111 | 85 |
| Live Ranking | ||
| Live Ranking | 9 | 31 (+4) |
| Live Race Ranking | 113 (-2) | 80 (+5) |
| Bios | ||
| Age | 22 (8 Oct 2002) | 35 (31 Jul 1989) |
| Birthplace | Shiyan, Hubei, China | Minsk, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Residence | Barcelona, Spain | Boca Raton, Florida, United States |
| Height | - | 6'0" (183cm) |
| Weight | - | 148lbs (67kg) |
| Plays | Right (two-handed backhand) | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | - | 2003 |
| Coach | Pere Riba (2021–) | None |
| YTD W/L | 1-3 (25%) | 3-4 (43%) |
| YTD Titles | - | - |
| Career Titles | 5 | 21 |
| Prize Money | US$ 8,461,312 | US $38,050,197 - 5th in all-time rankings |
| Past Meetings | ||
|
V Azarenka d Q Zheng WTA Miami - Round of 326-4 | 7-5 23 Mar 2024 |
||
|
V Azarenka d Q Zheng WTA Adelaide 1 - Round of 166-2 | 7-5 5 Jan 2023 |
||
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