"When I was young, all I wanted was to win a Grand Slam & be #1": Victoria Azarenka admits priorities had to change after having son Leo
WTA
World No. 31 Victoria Azarenka opened up about the shift in her priorities since the birth of her son, Leo.
The Belarusian secured her second consecutive victory at
the Qatar Open, this time defeating China's Wang Xinyu (No. 41) with a score of
7-6(2), 6-2, advancing to the round of 16.
The former
world No. 1 acknowledged that at the beginning of her career, her primary goals
were to reach the top of the rankings. And also to win Grand Slam tournaments. However,
since Leo was born, he became her top priority. Azarenka travels with him
throughout the year, and they are frequently seen sharing moments on the court.
“My priorities shifted” – Victoria Azarenka
'Vichka'
has won two Grand Slam titles, both at the Australian Open (2012, 2013), in
addition to three finals appearances in Melbourne. Azarenka achieved her first
world No. 1 ranking with her initial Melbourne victory and spent a total of 51
weeks at the top.
Azarenka's
son was born in 2016, leading to her taking almost a year off from the Tour.
Shortly afterward, the Belarusian abruptly separated from her former partner
Billy McKeague and entered into a custody dispute for Leo, prompting her
decision to withdraw from major WTA competitions to stay close to her son.
Azarenka
spoke about her love for her son after advancing to the round of 16 at the
Qatar Open: “When I was young, all I
wanted was to win a Grand Slam & be #1, & I’ve achieved it. I wanted to
continue & repeat that feeling. After I had Leo my priorities shifted a
bit. I had to find a way to balance myself a bit, where I don’t feel guilty for
missing out on some of the time with him & dedicate myself to the craft,”
she said
“I think I
found a balance through understanding that I’d love for him to see how hard I
work & how much I put into it. It’s the best example by showing it. I’m
pretty proud he can be around while I’m still playing & he sees what I do. It’s
an incredible bonding moment for us,” Azarenka added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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