Victoria Azarenka’s return to the top-five has been a long time coming and she is finally back where she belongs, with her ranking reflecting the massive contender she truly is.
Prior to January this year, Azarenka’s last title triumph had come in Cincinnati in August 2013. A string of injuries followed in 2014, and the Belarusian certainly took her time in her much-anticipated comeback.
The 2015 season came and went and Azarenka was still trophy-less. During that year, she split with her coach Sam Sumyk, who jumped ship to work with Eugenie Bouchard in a partnership that was fruitless and did not last.
Azarenka had big matches with Serena Williams in Madrid, Paris and Wimbledon, and even though she lost all three, she showed how much of a threat she can be to the reigning world No1. Still, she ended the year ranked outside the top-20 and while the progress she made was evident, her fans were getting restless and losing hope, as they kept waiting for the two-time grand slam champion to get back on track.
Such worries turned out to be unnecessary as Azarenka ended her drought, capturing the title in Brisbane in the opening week of the 2016 season, and she’s barely blinked ever since, pulling off the elusive ‘Sunshine Double’ in Indian Wells and Miami to storm back into the top-five.
Anyone who has spoken to Azarenka early this season would not be surprised by her recent run of results. Azarenka isn’t just playing better, she also seems to be in a great state of mind. Off the court, she’s been serene – no pun intended – and open when discussing her struggles and hopes.
She was hard on herself when she lost to Angelique Kerber in the Australian Open quarter-finals but that only showed how much she believed in her favourite status at that tournament. She frankly admitted she’d allow herself to be “pissed” for losing that match but then she’d snap out of it and win the next one.
She has done precisely that and it’s been a delight to witness.
It also feels that Azarenka has surrounded herself with the right team. Between Wim Fissette, Simona Halep’s ex-coach, and Sascha Bajin, Serena Williams’ former hitting partner, Vika finally has her squad and they all mean business.
At a time when the sport could potentially lose Maria Sharapova forever, it’s great that Azarenka, someone just as fierce and competitive as the Russian five-time major winner, is stepping up.
March highlights
Novak Djokovic once again swept March Madness and is less than $2million away from becoming tennis’ first $100million man. Scary thought for the rest of the field? He says he’s not even tired after going 28-1 in the last three months.
Rafael Nadal showed great promise in Indian Wells but was taken down by a stomach bug in Miami.
Nick Kyrgios is into the top-20 for the first time and he already has his eyes on the 19 ahead of him.
David Goffin had a dream four weeks, making semis in both Masters events. The top-10 beckons for the Belgian new world No13.
In a surprise turn of events, Serena Williams is title-less since last August.
Milos Raonic may be the strongest contender for becoming tennis’ next first-time slam winner but his body continues to fail him. If he wants to continue with the cool net-rushing, he must adapt his body for that type of aggressive game.
Simona Halep is outside the top-five for the first time in two years. Things are getting feisty at the top of the WTA.
Looking ahead
The spring clay season is upon us and the players are already covered in red/green dirt. Roger Federer was photographed practicing in Monte Carlo while clay action has started in Marrakech, Houston and Charleston.
