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Victoria Azarenka def Barbora Strycova 6-2 6-4

Q. Good performance. How did you see that match? How was it for you?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It was good. Today was really -- I was more focused on staying focused because she's a type of player that throws you a lot off your rhythm. I was just trying to focus more on execution and be aggressive and follow my game plan from the first point to the last.

But I think I played pretty well there. There are things I could have done better I think always. That's the perfectionist in me. But overall, pretty solid.

Q. You're going to face Kerber again next round. How do you see this next match coming after your great match at the US Open and the last one at Brisbane?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's exciting. You know, I always look forward to play against her. She gives me always tough matches. I prepare myself for a very tough match because she's very solid, very consistent, and an amazing fighter.

I have to, you know, play my best game to beat her, for sure.

Q. What's the toughest thing in her game, the thing that's most dangerous when you're facing her? The angles she can find with her forehand? Something else?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I mean, overall, she's just consistent, you know. You have to really go out there and take it from her, because she's not going to give you anything, mistakes. You have to really focus and take control.



Q. She told us in Brisbane she worked a lot on her serve in the offseason and to get her fitness level up. Did you notice that when you played her in the Brisbane final?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think her fitness level was always pretty high. She's been very consistent, great mover, you know. She can play for as long as she wants to.

But on the serve, I think she was a little bit more aggressive. But, you know, every match is going to be a different story. That's how I try to approach that. It's not going to -- the result of Brisbane or whatever in the past, it doesn't really matter to me.

I need to focus myself for a tough match and, you know, quarterfinals of a Grand Slam. It's important for everybody.

Q. I'm not sure how much you heard, but there are more allegations of match fixing; mixed doubles match yesterday. Are you concerned as a player? Not the first time in this tournament there have been allegations of match fixing that's been brought up during the tournament.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I actually didn't hear anything about that. I think it is concerning, but I'm sorry, I can't really comment that much because I haven't heard the full story. I would like to get to know before I make my judgment.

Q. Is it possible to compare physically and mentally how you're feeling now to when you won this tournament previously?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Old story. I answered this question many times already. I don't compare that. It's been, you know -- I don't even remember how I felt or -- I just try to focus on the moment right now and really take it one match at a time. You know, two years ago victories is not going to help me today.

Q. You seemed to be more emotional about learning that the Broncos had won than...
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I was emotional the whole morning about it. Yeah, I couldn't -- I turned on TV while I was having breakfast and I just couldn't look over there because -- you know, I'm a huge sports fan, so when I'm a fan of somebody, I'm a die hard. I'll get nervous. I get emotional. I understand like all that, because it's something that when I play, I'm in control.

I'm in control of my body, of my emotions. That's all on me. When it's somebody else doing it and I have absolutely no control, I go loco. I will scream. I will scream on TV. Yeah, that's why I'm -- well, it's good you didn't watch it because it was a close game. You would probably break the TV or something.

Q. When is the last time you went loco watching a tennis match?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Tennis match? Probably when I watch Gaël play because I know how good he is. When he starts doing some Gaël stuff, it hits me in my heart, really, like I'm emotional.

Q. Speaking of Gaël, he did a crazy dive today like he usually does; landed on the hard court.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Is he all right?

Q. He seems fine.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm glad I didn't see that. I probably would be in a worse mood right now.

Q. What's the craziest thing you have seen Gaël do?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: That's off the court. (Laughter.)

Q. That's all you can give me?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, no, no, no. I'm not the person to tell off-court stuff.

Q. How about on the court?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: On the court? I'm not sure. I mean, probably when we were playing Manhattan Beach. We were playing the game like against each other and he started sliding. It was raining and he started sliding all the way there. He says, Hey, V, be careful when you go that side. It's slippery there. But he was sliding. He was so much in control.

I said, Don't worry about it. I don't go back that far. The first point we actually played, I slipped and I hit my face on the ground. He started cracking up. He's like, I'm so sorry. I know you're hurting, but it was very funny. I said, Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that.

But, yeah, it's probably off the court when we play different kind of games.

Q. What's the Denver Broncos connection?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm a fan of Peyton Manning, so when he started playing there I just have so much respect for him. He's my Hawaiian family friend, so there is a connection there.

Q. Have you spent time with him at all?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No. I actually haven't met him. I just heard a lot about -- I think the schedules are so different that it's hard to connect, but never know. Maybe I'll go to Super Bowl.

Q. When did you become so passionate about American football?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm just a huge sports fan. It's -- you know, spending quite a bit of time in the States and just -- it's such a big sport in the States. You can't miss it. Like you go to the bar and it's always showing, baseball or football. I like to get into it.

I think once I start to understand American football more, it showed so much how strategic the game is and that's fascinated me.

Q. Who are you root to work for, Cam or Peyton in the Super Bowl?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm sitting this one out. Let the best team win. This was my dream final, to be honest, and so I can't wait to actually see them both.

I think it's Cam's dream, you know, and Peyton, you know, so deep in his career it's definitely a dream again.

It's going to be awesome.

Q. What's the dream final here?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. That's -- I'm staying out of that one, too. (Laughter.)

Q. Can you tell us a little more about your Hawaiian connection? I know you're friends with some of the locals there. The inspiration you get from that.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, Hawaii is probably my favorite place in the entire world. I feel so connected there. You know, they are my family more. Like I have not blood related, but Hawaiian family, and I go there every year for Thanksgiving.

Laird is probably one of the biggest inspirations of my life, with Gabrielle, his wife. They really taught me so many things, introduced me to so many different worlds, and opened my mind like really to new experiences.

So it's pretty amazing.

Q. Hawaii is a special place, and some people even say it has a spiritual side to it. What island do you go to and does it sort of take you to a different place than the circuit?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, definitely. There is one place where I never need a phone. Because I think we are so connected to technology right now. And I am, too. You know, I'm all the time with my phone. I try to disconnect myself from that.

But there, I never want to touch my phone. Like really, just I feel so free and so connected there. And I only go to one island.

Q. Which one?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Kauai.

Q. Wet or dry side?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: The ocean side.

Q. Maria is playing Serena again tomorrow. What puts more pressure on, the one trying to end a losing streak or the one trying to keep a winning streak going?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think there is both pressure, I guess. It's just more -- it's just different type of pressure. I don't know. I can never speak for somebody else. For me, it's difficult because I'm not in their shoes, so it's tough to judge.

Q. Every year is different, but you do well here in Australia. Why is it so special for you here? Why do you think you respond so well? Is it the heat?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I mean, there is no particular thing. I really do enjoy the energy here. I think the tournament always is trying to improve.

As a player, your opinions matter. I think that's really important. I feel even more connected here.

And just the energy around is so -- it's easygoing, but it's very intense in a way that it's a lot of passion.

So I feel related.

Q. How would you assess your performance today? It was a tough start. You came back into this match. Couldn't push it to a third set.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think I was a little bit too flat today. I obviously didn't start great. For me personally, it was a little bit 10% not enough of everything.

My footwork didn't have enough. My shots didn't have enough. I felt I did a little bit too many unforced errors in the key moments. I created a lot of opportunities, but then I was not enough on my opportunities. I didn't take them. I had plenty.

You know, that's not going to win matches in quarterfinals. You have to bring it, and I didn't.

Q. Do you think it was just a bad day at the office or do you think at some point stress came in the way?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Bad day at the office? Yeah. It wasn't great. But still I have to find the way to win. I did put myself in the situations to be able to turn the match around. I just didn't commit enough, and that's on me.

Q. What happened at 5-2, 40-Love for you? You were kind of in control.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I just answered that question.

Q. What do you feel she did differently compared to previous matches?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think she was aggressive. She served well. Especially in the key moments she served really well.

But for me it's tough to judge because I think we know each other so well. Today I really feel that was on me. I didn't do enough with what I had today.

Q. Did you feel it at all before the match, that you weren't firing on all cylinders?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I felt fine. I was thinking about it right now, if there is something I could have done different, if there is something I've done wrong. I went through my routine.

Mentally I didn't commit myself enough today. I didn't push myself into making a difference. I was too flat.

Q. Do you plan to play Fed Cup next weekend?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I didn't decide it yet.

Q. You worked a lot this winter. It was a great start of the season. Is this loss going to be easy to put away and go back to work, or do you think it's going to last a little bit, the disappointment?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I'll be disappointed. I should be disappointed. That's fair enough to be disappointed after a match like this.

But if it's going to carry on? No. It's going to be forgotten tomorrow. I have improved so much from last year. Taking this three weeks, you know, I have to keep working hard. There are things I still have to improve. It's very simple in my mind. But there is work has to be done.

I'm in the right direction. I just need to keep going that way and work harder, be as professional as I am. I don't feel that I've done anything wrong in my preparation. It's just today I didn't push myself enough.

Q. You've improved a lot, you said. What has Wim brought to you over the last months that have made you, again, get better and better, be a contender?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think overall it's teamwork. It's not just one person. It's everybody bringing what they have on their side. Wim is very positive and very precise with what we do. He's very honest. I like that. I like to be reminded or set straightforward what things need to be improved.

That aspect in our teamwork is great, communication.

Q. Do you think you will be able to shake this off as one bad day?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I just answered that.

Q. Going into the next part of the season overall coming out of Australia, how do you feel about you started?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I can't sit here and say, Oh, it's been great. After the loss, it's going to be tough.

So I'm going to be disappointed today. I'm going to be pissed off. I'm going to let myself have that. But overall it's not going to affect me in any way because I know the work that I put through, it's paying off.

I just need to do more. I need to keep going to be even more consistent. I've shown good signs. I've shown good quality, way more consistent, physically much better. I need to assess a little bit what I can improve and keep moving direction forward.

Q. You talked about improving aspects of your game. I'm sure you don't want to go into great detail. Can you suggest some areas where you think you can work?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Everything. Everything, you know. It's as simple as that. I want to be a better player overall. I want to be better physically. I want to play better. I want to be stronger. Every aspect of my game I have to work on.

I have to work on my serve. I have to work on my returns. I have to be able to come in even more. Everything needs to be sharper still. That's the motivation behind it. I need to get better.

Q. Do you think it's only a matter of time that everything is going to come together and, for instance, at the next Grand Slam you'll reach the final?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm not hoping for anything. I'm going to put the effort and put the work in. The result, we're going to see what happens.

Whatever I'm in control of doing, I'm going to do it.

Q. But your general feeling.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I don't know my general feeling what's going to happen French Open. How do I know?

Q. At the moment. Of course you're disappointed, but in the way you played in the last days and everything, that's what I meant.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think I've been playing pretty well overall, as I said. Three weeks of good tennis, you know, solid effort. I'm not going to take that away from me.

But today was not the case. Actually, it is over already. Nothing I can do about it. All I can do is to move on.

Q. Angie is talking about how she has had to push herself to be more aggressive, especially in sort of high-octane situations. How tough is it not to go out there and say I want to do this, but to actually apply the aggressive, go-for-winners play?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, there's one thing of saying it and doing it. There's a difference. But I think she played well. She did go for her shots and I guess push herself through something that maybe she hasn't done before.

But from how I felt, I also let my opponent play a little bit. I think it was pretty clear. But she definitely deserve. She took her chances. She went for it. She got the win, so...

Q. You said you were going to give yourself today to kind of work through today. What does that typically look like for you? Is it under the covers? Is it replaying the match in your head? Going out to dinner and trying to forget it? What does it look like?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: You know what? When I am in that I'm just going to let whatever emotion comes to me. I'm just going to work through it. If it's sadness, if I need to cry, I may cry. I don't know. If I need to break something, hopefully I don't break anything. But I just might.

You know, whatever is natural, is going to come, I'm just going to let it happen today.

Former No.1 Victoria Azarenka continues her climb back to the top, overpowering Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-2 in the final to claim the Miami Open title and secure her return to the WTA Top 5.

Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Miami right here on wtatennis.com!

Azarenka, a two-time champion here in Miami, won her third title of 2016 in dominating fashion without dropping a set. Even more impressive, her back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami complete the Sunshine Double, a feat last achieved 11 years ago.

The on-form Belarusian, who has only lost one match all year, broke in Kuznetsova's opening service game and quickly held for a 2-0 lead. That lone hold of serve would turn out to be vital, as Azarenka was able to weather the seven consecutive breaks that followed and still hang on to the lead.

In the second set Azarenka's powerful game came together as she wore down Kuznetsova from the baseline, running the Russian all over the court. Azarenka kept up the intensity throughout the match, hitting 23 winners to Kuznetsova's 8 while Kuznetsova struck 22 unforced errors to her opponent's 18.

After Azarenka claimed the match and the Miami title in an hour and 17 minutes, Kuznetsova had nothing but praise for her in-form opponent in her runner-up speech.

"I'd like to congratulate Victoria for doing such a good job this year and in these four weeks," Kuznetsova said, delighting the Miami crowd by delivering the speech in both English and Spanish.

Azarenka was similarly effusive in her praise for Kuznetsova, who she's played nine times since 2007.

"I want congratulate Sveta for the great result," Azarenka said. "I know you've had a lot of ups and downs in your career and I'm so happy to see you again in top form producing some great tennis."

The Belarusian also had an emotional dedication for the win, her twentieth career title:

"I want to dedicate this win to my family, for my parents, who I don't see very often but my parents taught me some really great things.

"They gave me roots so I always know where I come from and they gave me wings so I can fly, so I can be here. Thank you so much."

With the win, Azarenka also cements her position as No.1 on the Road To Singapore Leaderboard, leapfrogging Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber for the top spot.

Former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka intends to return to tennis in time to compete in this year's Wimbledon following the birth of her first child.

It's all change for the two-time grand slam champion who has a new coach, Michael Joyce, and now a new son, Leo, born in December.

However, after a year out of the game, Azarenka will start with no official ranking but instead will have her protected ranking of No 6, which will allow her to enter the draw.

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Azarenka, 27, initially planned to return at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford at the end of July, but she now hopes to perform at the All England Club, with the tournament due to start on July 3.

Azarenka posted on twitter saying her training was progressing well and she felt ready to start competing sooner than planned.

Azarenka won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2012 and 2013 and is also a two-time US Open finalist.

Her best performances at Wimbledon came in 2011 and 2012 when she reached the semi-finals.

For those on the move, we will have the French Open from Roland Garros covered via our website skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.

Former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka returns from maternity leave at the Mallorca Open this week - and yesterday she laid down a gauntlet to her rivals, saying that she can be even better than before.

"I think I'm more competitive - that quality never left me," the 27-year-old said in a press conference. "I really feel I haven't reached my potential yet and I think I can be better."

This was also behind her decision to bring her comeback forwards: originally scheduled for the American hard-court swing in July, Azarenka announced last month that she would be returning sooner than expected on grass.

"I thought I was tired of practicing - I needed something to practice for," she revealed. "It was not more about how I was ready physically, but whether I was ready mentally to go out there and get back into travelling with the team, to adjust everything."

To prepare for her comeback, Azarenka has been working as hard as ever - "a lot of blood, sweat and tears," she joked - but also more smartly.

"We had more than the time of the off-season, and were able to implement some of the things that when you play are hard to change," she explained. "So I worked a little bit on changing my technique, the biomechanics, to make sure that I can prolong my career."

What hasn't changed is Azarenka's attitude.

"I always have the mentality of being really focused and to put everything I have on to the tennis court, and that didn't go anywhere," she declared.

The Mallorca Open is Azarenka's first tournament since her first-round loss at last year's Roland Garros, and she will open against World No.74 Risa Ozaki in her first match here. Currently unranked, she has been hitting the practice courts in Mallorca - while also finding time for some mother-son bonding in the spectacular setting of the Spanish island.

Former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka was a game from defeat in her first match since the 2016 French Open before darkness halted play. Upon resumption, the Belarusian saved three match points to pull off thrilling comeback win over Risa Ozaki, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7).

Azarenka was in the midst of a career renaissance last year, winning the elusive Indian Wells-Miami Sunshine Double, earning wins over Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber along the way. Sitting out the remainder of the season to give birth to baby Leo, the two-time Australian Open champion moved her planned comeback ahead of schedule after initially planning a return at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford.

Starting the match on Tuesday night against Ozaki, it was as if she'd never left, racing through the first four games and ultimately taking the opening set with ease.

Ozaki made a career breakthrough in Miami, reaching the fourth round as a qualifier, and began to show why she's one to watch as the match continued, playing flawless defense and drawing errors from an ocassionally rusty Azarenka.

Leading by a double break in the deciding set, Ozaki saw her lead narrow but she nonetheless got within a game of the win when darkness fell.

Serving for the match to start play on Wednesday, the 24-year-old lost serve only to win seven straight points to earn three match points in the penultimate game.

Azarenka cleaned up her game to save all three and roar back from a 3-5 deficit in the ensuing tiebreak to clinch victory after two hours and 44 minutes on court (with a night's rest in between).

In all, Azarenka displayed her trademark aggression throughout, hitting 30 winners to 41 unforced errors, and converted seven of 11 break point opportunities.

Up next for the Belarusian is Croatian youngster Ana Konjuh, who knocked out Ons Jabeur in her opening round match.

Victoria Azarenka is set to miss the US Open because she is "not willing" to leave her child at home in California.

The Belarusian former world number one returned to tennis in June after giving birth to her son, Leo, in December.

Azarenka, 28, separated from his father in July and the pair are working "to resolve some of the legal processes".

In a statement, Azarenka said: "The way things stand now is that the only way I can play in the US Open this year is if I leave Leo behind."

The US Open will take place at Flushing Meadows from 28 August to 10 September.

Azarenka, Australian Open champion in 2012 and 2013, reached the final in New York in the same two years.

She was knocked out in the fourth round at Wimbledon this year. Last week, she pulled out of the Cincinnati Open because of "a family matter".

"Like most working mothers I am faced with a difficult situation which may not allow me to return to work right away," her statement added.

"Balancing childcare and a career is not easy for any parent, but it is a challenge I am willing to face and embrace. I want to support men and women everywhere who know it is OK to be a working mother - or father.

"No-one should ever have to decide between a child and their career, we are strong enough to do both.

"I remain optimistic that in the coming days Leo's father and I can put aside any differences and take steps in the right direction to more effectively work as a team and agree on an arrangement for all three of us to travel and for me to compete but, more importantly, to ensure that Leo has a consistent presence from both of his parents."

Michael Joyce poinformował, że nie jest już trenerem Wiktorii Azarenki. Amerykański szkoleniowiec jest coraz bardziej łączony z brytyjską tenisistką Johanną Kontą.



Swietłana Kuzniecowa może nie zagrać w Australian Open. "Nie wiem, kiedy będę mogła rozpocząć treningi"
- Wika to niesamowicie utalentowana zawodniczka. Jestem podekscytowany jej powrotem do tenisa, ale szanuję również jej decyzję, aby postawić rodzinę na pierwszym miejscu. Z głębokim żalem postanowiłem pójść naprzód z moją trenerską karierą, podczas gdy ona skupia się na prywatnych sprawach. Nie mogę się doczekać jej powrotu do touru i życzę jej wszystkiego najlepszego - poinformował Michael Joyce.
Amerykanin został trenerem Białorusinki na początku 2017 roku. Od tego czasu Wiktoria Azarenka wzięła jednak udział tylko w dwóch turniejach, na Majorce i w Wimbledonie. Z powodu walki o prawo do opieki nad synem Leo musiała opuścić drugą część sezonu. Do kobiecego touru Wika chce powrócić na początku stycznia w nowozelandzkim Auckland.

Tymczasem brytyjskie media już kilka dni temu informowały, że Joyce może zostać trenerem Johanny Konty. Amerykanin i dziewiąta obecnie rakieta świata byli widziani razem na obiektach All England Clubu. Joyce zdobył już spore doświadczenie, gdyż w latach 2005-2011 prowadził Marię Szarapową, a następnie przez kilka sezonów był opiekunem Jessiki Peguli.