via Reuters
Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – September 16, 2020 Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka reacts during her second round match against Venus Williams of the U.S. Pool via REUTERS/Riccardo Antimiani
via Reuters
Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – September 16, 2020 Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka reacts during her second round match against Venus Williams of the U.S. Pool via REUTERS/Riccardo Antimiani
Victoria Azarenka is riding high on confidence these days, as she continues to make the most of some fine form. She had a dream run during the US Open 2020 and made a quick adjustment to the clay courts.
The 31-year-old is feeling as pumped up as ever, as evidenced by her practice session in the build-up to the French Open 2020. Azarenka is practicing at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy these days in France itself. The academy is controlled by Patrick Mouratoglou, who is Serena Williams‘ coach.
She was seen hitting groundstrokes and rallying during practice, as she would during a high-intensity match.
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*Sara Errani voice* “Why you say vamos?” 🤣@vika7 was fired up at practice this morning! pic.twitter.com/ptz2kuDMw9
— Mouratoglou Tennis Academy (@MouratoglouAcad) September 22, 2020
She even yelled a “Vamos”, followed by a couple of “C’mons” after winning a point. That also sent a strong message to Azarenka’s top competitors at the French Open.
Strong comeback to tennis
The Belarusian star is known for her intensity on the tennis court and her fighting spirit. She proved her willingness to excel once again with her recent performances.
via Reuters
Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – September 19, 2020 Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka in action during her quarter final against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza Pool via REUTERS/Riccardo Antimiani
Notably, the former world number one was contemplating retirement just a few months ago due to personal issues. However, she put those behind herself and came back strongly. She has won 14 of her last 16 matches and one of those losses was in the US Open 2020 final.
Just last week, Victoria Azarenka bowed out in the quarter-finals at the Italian Open 2020, but not before defeating a couple of very strong opponents.
Just three days after her US Open campaign, Azarenka faced Venus Williams in her opening match on a different surface. She put on a gritty display, winning 7-6(7), 6-2.
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In the following match, Azarenka kicked things up a notch, beating third seed Sofia Kenin 6-0, 6-0 in a double-bagel. Her next opponent Daria Kasatkina retired from the match midway.
Even in the quarter-final, Azarenka took the first set against clay-court specialist and former French Open champion Garbine Muguruza. But the Spaniard then rallied back for the win.
via Reuters
Tennis – WTA Premier 5 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – September 17, 2020 Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka during her second round match against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. Pool via REUTERS/Clive Brunskill
The current world number 14, Azarenka’s best showing at Roland Garros is a semi-final appearance in 2013. Apart from that, she also made two other quarter-finals.
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The two-time Grand Slam winner hopes to make the most of her current run at the French Open. If her practice session is any indication, Azarenka will be the player to beat in Paris.
