Following Her Spectacular Win, Victoria Azarenka Pulls Out From Bad Homburg Open 2021 QFs

Former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka had to grind through her second-round match against Alize Cornet at Bad Homburg Open 2021. She saved match points and battled injury to win against Cornet. However, the grueling match had its repercussions and hence Azarenka has retired before her quarterfinal match against Sara Sorribes Tormo.

This development has raised concern over her participation at Wimbledon Championships 2021.

Azarenka and Cornet played a match that went past the three-hour mark. The Belarusian mid-way through the match had to take a medical time-out for an abdominal injury. And then she had to further save four match points in the final set. But in the end, Azarenka was physically battered in the victory and hence she has withdrawn from the Bad Homburg Open ahead of Wimbledon.

Victoria Azarenka in tough match against Alize Cornet at Bad homburg Open 2021

While commenting about her match against Cornet, Azarenka mentioned that she was not in her best physical condition. But she also mentioned that Venus Williams was her inspiration and hence she fought through the pain.

“I felt I was in control, then didn’t have the best physical condition. Proud of the way I fought. I had Venus in my head b/c she’s an inspiration for me. Every time she plays and has some pains, she tries her best,” Azarenka said.

The short grass court season hasn’t been kind to Azarenka. Before coming to Bad Homburg, Azarenka played in Berlin and reached the semifinal. In the semifinals though, Azarenka was beaten by World No.106 Ludmilla Samsonova, who eventually went on to beat Belinda Bencic in the finals.

“Matches on grass can go fast, one or two breaks and it’s already more difficult,” Azarenka said during WTA Berlin.

With tough matches on grass ahead of Wimbledon, Azarenka could be in trouble. Her withdrawal from Bad Homburg Open looks like a precautionary measure however, she could face a stiffer challenge in Wimbledon if she does not recover from her injury.

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