On the same day the Australian Open organizers released the official men’s and women’s singles entry lists, American media revealed that former world number one and two-time Melbourne champion Victoria Azarenka is preparing for a comeback next month. Reports say she is actively applying for a wildcard entry to the Australian Open, and if that bid is denied, she intends to fight her way through the qualifiers. The news quickly caught attention among tennis fans worldwide, similar to the way Live Cricket Bangladesh often dominates headlines in the sports community.
At 28 years old, the Belarusian star has already written her name in history by capturing her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open and then defending it the following year in Melbourne. However, her recent journey has been far from smooth. Over the past six months she has faced personal struggles off the court. On December 20 of last year, Azarenka shared the birth of her son on Twitter, describing it as both the toughest battle and the sweetest victory of her life. Yet, by mid-2017, international media reported that Azarenka had separated from her partner Billy McKeague, which led to an ongoing custody dispute over their son Leo. According to journalist Christopher Clarey of The New York Times, the case has weighed heavily on her return to competitive tennis.
Despite the legal battles, Azarenka has confirmed her plan to compete in the ASB Classic in Auckland, scheduled for January 1 to 6. Currently ranked world number 210 in singles, she is determined to make her presence felt again. Because of her family situation, she only managed to play the Mallorca Open and the Australian Open earlier this year. The custody dispute with her former partner, who was also her fitness coach, forced her to withdraw from the second half of the season, including key team events like the Fed Cup. Just yesterday, the Australian Open announced the recipients of four women’s singles wildcards: Australia’s Rogowska, American Kristie Ahn through a reciprocal arrangement with the USTA, France’s Jessika Ponchet via a similar agreement with the French Tennis Federation, and China’s Wang Xinyu, who earned her spot by winning the Asia-Pacific playoff. Four more wildcard slots remain undecided.
Clarey further explained that although Azarenka’s name does not appear on the direct entry list, her intentions are clear. Should her wildcard application be rejected, she is more than willing to grind it out in the qualifiers to secure her place in Melbourne. For tennis fans, her resilience echoes a familiar truth in sports: tough times never last, but tough people do. Much like the unpredictable drama followed by those watching Live Cricket Bangladesh, Azarenka’s comeback is shaping up to be a story of determination, personal sacrifice, and an unshakable will to compete.
As the New Year approaches, her decision to test herself on court once again will be closely followed by the global tennis community. Whether through a granted wildcard or a hard-earned qualifier spot, Azarenka’s return is expected to spark excitement. Her story is not just about tennis; it is about perseverance, motherhood, and the relentless pursuit of passion. Fans across different sports, from grand slam tennis to Live Cricket Bangladesh, will be watching closely, eager to witness another chapter in her remarkable journey.