USA Today via Reuters
Mar 14, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Chair umpire Paula Vieira Souza talks with Victoria Azarenka (BEL) as she is over come with emotion during the middle of the second set of her third round match against Elena Rybakina (not pictured) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 14, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Chair umpire Paula Vieira Souza talks with Victoria Azarenka (BEL) as she is over come with emotion during the middle of the second set of her third round match against Elena Rybakina (not pictured) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Victoria Azarenka is having a mixed 2022 season so far. Although she has had a fairly consistent run across the tournaments this year, the former world number one has failed to proceed beyond the quarter-finals at the tournaments this season. Additionally, she had to miss the Wimbledon Championships after the tournament’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
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Recently, she received another setback ahead of the US Open. The two-time Grand Slam champion was disallowed from participating in the US Open exhibition event after some Ukrainian players, including Marta Kostyuk criticized Azarenka’s involvement. The Tennis Plays for Peace exhibition event was held to support Ukraine.
What did the USTA say regarding Victoria Azarenka?
The USTA released an official statement regarding the Belarusian’s participation in the exhibition event. The statement read, “In the last 24 hours, after careful consideration and dialogue with all parties involved, Victoria Azarenka will not be participating in our “Tennis Plays for Peace Exhibition” this evening.”
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 17, 2021; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Victoria Azarenka (BLR) hits a shot during the women’s final against. Paula Badosa (ESP) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Further, it said, “Vika is a strong player leader and we appreciate her willingness to participate. Given the sensitiveness to Ukrainian players, and the ongoing conflict, we believe this is the right course of action for us.”
USTA announces that Azarenka, the Belarusian and former No. 1 who's on WTA Player Council, will not take part after all in tonight's play for peace exhibition to support Ukraine
There had been criticism from Ukrainian players, including Marta Kostyuk, of Azarenka's involvement pic.twitter.com/xo9SbQVTJt
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) August 24, 2022
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This will certainly be a massive blow to Azarenka ahead of the US Open. Additionally, she will be missing the much-needed match practice at the US Open after being removed from the exhibition event.
Azarenka’s side hustle venture
Recently, the two-time Australian Open champion took to social media to announce the release of her latest podcast. Azarenka revealed that she has had very intimate, open, and emotional conversations in this podcast. Additionally, she has also given details about her Miami Open meltdown in the podcast. At that tournament, Victoria Azarenka had an emotional exit midway through her match against 16-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova.
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Azarenka will look to find her lost mojo as she aims to dig deep at the US Open. Recently, she slipped four places in the WTA rankings. Her current WTA ranking is 26. However, she’ll look to change her fortunes in the Grand Slam tournament starting next week.
