"We had crazy beef for a long time": Secret feud behind Sloane Stephens and Victoria Azarenka 2013 Australian Open semi-final clash

Sloane Stephens recently revisited her 2013 Australian Open semi-final clash with Victoria Azarenka and recalled some issues between the pair and a secret feud that has only just been resolved.

In a clip posted by the Australian Open's official account on X, she looked back at her campaign at the 2013 tournament where she reached her first Grand Slam semi-final. She defeated the likes of Simona Halep, Kristina Mladenovic, Laura Robson, Bojana Jovanovski and Serena Williams en route.

Azarenka was next up for a berth in the final. The Belarusian was at the peak of her powers as the defending champion and top seed and the former raced through 6-1, 6-4. Looking back on the match, she revealed that they were not on good terms and had an icy relationship. While not revealing the reasoning, she did give the impression that they didn't get on. Albeit this came after Azarenka had technically given her a first chance in the sport to train with her at the age of 15. Now on good terms, they have faced off nine times overall on the WTA Tour and will be in the same line-up for next week's Qatar Open.

"Oh, this match was a situation. Was a total situation. We had crazy beef for like a long time, like a long time. Since resolved," said Stephens.

"Like, what's so crazy is that the first-ever professional player that like gave me a chance and an opportunity to hit with them was Vika. I was like 15, and they had come up to Saddlebrook, and I practiced with her for two days, and it was like the best experience ever."