Tennis isn’t just about high-octane matches and nail-biting finishes—it’s also a stage for deeply emotional moments that remind us of the players’ human side. And when the offseason rolls around, these emotions take center stage as athletes swap their rackets for quality family time. Cue the heartwarming moment of the week: WTA veteran Victoria Azarenka pouring her heart out in a sweet birthday tribute to her son, Leo.

The Belarusian tennis sensation, who wrapped her season after the Guadalajara Open where she was forced to retire from the match owing to a shoulder injury, is now enjoying some quality time with her son. Now, as he turns eight, Azarenka cannot be prouder and happier as she shared an emotional post for him. Taking to her social media, the star player shared two pictures: one where she is holding her son in her arms, and the other is the Polaroid image of the first picture. But what caught the attention further, was the adorable caption that followed. 

Penning down her emotions, Azarenka wrote, “Happy Birthday, my sweet Leo! Eight years ago, you made me a mommy, and every day since has been the most incredible adventure. Watching you grow into the smart, funny, and brave boy you are fills my heart with pride and joy beyond words. There’s a special bond between a mom and her son—it’s unbreakable, filled with love and laughter, and one of life’s greatest gifts.” For the unversed, the 35-year-old gave birth to her son with ex boyfriend Billy McKeague in 2016.

However, the couple soon split up after the 2017 Wimbledon, and became involved in a custody battle. Azarenka managed to win the legal battle and since then, she has often shared heartfelt moments with her son. Continuing further in the latest post, she wrote, “You’re my sunshine on a cloudy day, my greatest inspiration, and the reason I smile. Leo, you make the world brighter just by being you, and I hope your birthday is as amazing as you are. You deserve all the happiness, fun, and love in the world today and always. I love you more than words can say, keep shining ⭐️ Mommy ❤️.” This, however, is not the first time when Azarenka’s love for her son has come to light. 

Speaking during the 2024 Qatar Open, Azarenka opened up on how Leo changed her priorities. “When I was young, all I wanted was to win a Grand Slam and be No. 1, and I’ve accomplished that,” she said. However, her perception changed soon after she became a mother. “After I had Leo, my priorities changed. I needed to find a way to balance my time so I don’t feel guilt for missing out on moments with him while also dedicating myself to my career.” And it is probably because of this love that even Azarenka’s Instagram bio starts with “I love my son.” But interestingly, there is yet another dimension to this mother-son duo, and it’s humor. Azarenka has never shied away from showcasing not just adorable but also humorous and embarrassing moments as well. 

When Victoria Azarenka revealed embarrassing moment with her son at his hockey game

Being a tennis player, Victoria Azarenka must have seen many surprising moments unfolding in her career, in which she amassed two Grand Slams among other accolades. But her duties as a mother do not fail to surprise her any less as can be evidenced by Azarenka’s social media post. 

The star player recently took to her X and made a hilarious admission about a surprising yet interesting trait related to her son. “My son Leo doesn’t want to give me hugs in front of his teammates. I’m at his hockey tournament, and he’s like, ‘Not here, Mom.’ Is that relatable? Or…?,” she wrote. Her statements resonated with mothers of growing boys everywhere. In another cheeky moment, Azarenka took to her Instagram story to share a video of her son singing Juice Wrld’s famous song, Lucid Dreams. Captioning the post, she humorously questioned, “Who broke my baby’s heart? 😂 Singing his heart out 😂.”

As the time unfolds, it would be interesting to see what more this mother-son duo has in store for the fans. It would also be watchable how this bond helps Azarenka on the tennis courts, as she gears up to return in action the next year.