Wiktoria Azarenka

[DUN I LOVE]

2010

#4) Stanford 2010
R32 Ayumi Morita (JPN) 6-0 6-2
R16 Melanie Oudin (USA) 6-3 6-1
Q [4] Marion Bartoli (FRA) 3-6 6-3 6-3
S [1] Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-2 6-3
W [5] Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-4 6-1

#5) Moskwa 2010
R32 BYE
R16 Andrea Petkovic (GER) 6-4 2-6 6-1
Q [7] Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 6-1 6-3
S [8] Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) 6-3 6-3
W [6] Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 6-3 6-4

[DUN I LOVE]

2011

#6) Miami 2011
R128 BYE
R64 [Q] Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 7-5 4-6 6-0
R32 [25] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 3-6 6-3 6-4
R16 [17] Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 3-6 6-1 6-4
Q [2] Kim Clijsters (BEL) 6-3 6-3
S [3] Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-0 6-3
W [16] Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-1 6-4

#7) Marbella 2011
R32 Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 6-2 6-3
R16 Laura Pous-Tio (ESP) 6-3 6-2
Q [W] Dinara Safina (RUS) 5-1 RET
S [8] Sara Errani (ITA) 6-2 6-1
W [Q] Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 6-3 6-2

#8) Luksemburg 2011
R32 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 6-2 6-4
R16 Alberta Brianti (ITA) 6-0 6-1
Q Iveta Melzer (CZE) 6-3 6-2
S [6] Julia Goerges (GER) 6-3 6-3
W Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-2 6-2

[DUN I LOVE]

2012

#9) Sydney 2012
R32 [Q] Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 6-2 6-1
R16 Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-4 6-2
Q [8] Marion Bartoli (FRA) 7-5 6-4
S [7] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 1-6 6-3 6-2
W [4] Na Li (CHN) 6-2 1-6 6-3

#10) Australian Open 2010



R128 Heather Watson (GBR) 6-1 6-0
R64 [W] Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 6-1 6-0
R32 Mona Barthel (GER) 6-2 6-4
R16 Iveta Melzer (CZE) 6-2 6-2
Q [8] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-7 6-0 6-2
S [11] Kim Clijsters (BEL) 6-4 1-6 6-3
W [4] Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-3 6-0

#11) Doha 2012
R64 BYE
R32 Mona Barthel (GER) 6-1 6-0
R16 Simona Halep (ROU) 6-3 6-1
Q Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 6-0 6-4
S [4] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-2 6-4
W [3] Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-1 6-2

#12) Indian Wells 2012
R128 BYE
R64 Mona Barthel (GER) 6-4 6-7 (4) 7-6 (6)
R32 [25] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-1 6-2
R16 [14] Julia Goerges (GER) 6-3 6-1
Q [5] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-0 6-2
S [18] Angelique Kerber (GER) 6-4 6-3
W [2] Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-2 6-3

#13) Pekin 2012
R64 Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-1 6-0
R32 Sabine Lisicki (GER) 6-4 6-2
R16 [Q] Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-3 6-3
Q Romina Oprandi (SUI) 6-2 6-0
S [9] Marion Bartoli (FRA) 6-4 6-2
W [2] Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-3 6-1

#14) Linz 2012
R32 Arantxa Rus (NED) 6-0 6-2
R16 Simona Halep (ROU) 6-1 6-1
Q Petra Martic (CRO) 6-2 6-2
S [L] Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 6-2 6-1
W [5] Julia Goerges (GER) 6-3 6-4

[DUN I LOVE]

2013

#15) Australian Open 2013



R128 Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-1 6-4
R64 Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) 6-1 6-0
R32 Jamie Hampton (USA) 6-4 4-6 6-2
R16 Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-1 6-1
Q Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 7-5 6-1
S [29] Sloane Stephens (USA) 6-1 6-4
W [6] Na Li (CHN) 4-6 6-4 6-3

#16) Doha 2013
R64 BYE
R32 Romina Oprandi (SUI) 6-2 6-3
R16 Christina McHale (USA) 6-0 6-0
Q [6] Sara Errani (ITA) 6-2 6-2
S [4] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-3 6-3
W [2] Serena Williams (USA) 7-6 (6) 2-6 6-3

#17) Cincinnati 2013
R64 BYE
R32 [Q] Vania King (USA) 6-1 7-6 (6)
R16 Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 6-3 6-4
Q [10] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6-3 7-6 (5)
S [14] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 4-6 6-2 6-3
W [1] Serena Williams (USA) 2-6 6-2 7-6 (6)

[DUN I LOVE]

[grzes430]

An Interview With: Victoria Azarenka

Spoiler:

Q. Coming back from an injury, what is the toughest part? Is it mental? Are you afraid of hurting yourself again? What was the hardest part for you coming back from such a long injury?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's just a matter of getting it back into the rhythm. You know, you're always used to playing matches and tournaments, so you go from one place to another. Once you stop, it's just a matter of getting that timing back. A little bit of reaction. But really just building that base of kind of a consistent playing. So I think that's the toughest part that takes always a longer time, and it's a process. When you come back you expect the result to be right there just where you kind of finished, but sometimes it takes a little longer.

Q. When you come back from injury, how is your exercise routine, your time at the gym? Does the fitness plan change in any way?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I mean, while I was rehabbing, you had to change a little bit. But the whole routine, yeah, I got a new trainer not so long ago. Routine changed a little bit. But, I mean, you still do squats and weights. You still run. It's kind of the same. It's just a matter of how you put it, you know, in the program. That's it. I don't worry about that. I just do what they tell me to do.

Q. You have been used to being a top contender in Grand Slams. Is it tough for you, maybe you're not back at your best? Your ranking is down.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I never cared about that stuff. I'm the same way if I was better ranked. I always take it one match at a time. I always know that it doesn't matter how high you're ranked or how well you play the tournament before. You still gotta start from zero. Game-wise, I think it doesn't matter how you feel every day. You're not going to play perfect every day. You cannot go through the tournament playing perfect. The work in progress, the mind you put behind it, the work ethic, I think that's the key things for me right now.

Q. How much do you know about your opponent in the first round?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know much about her. I think we practiced one time, but we never played against each other. It's going to be new. But I always try to focus more on my game rather than my opponent. Of course you take some things into consideration - and I'm sure my coach knows a little bit more stuff about her - but I'm really just going to try to focus on my execution.

Q. How would you describe the mental challenge to dealing with the physical problems that you have had and anything you might have learned about yourself in dealing with those frustrations?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, yeah, I learned -- the big thing that I had to learn how to spread my toes. That's not a joke. It's for real. Because, you know, spending so much time in the shoes, some people cannot really spread their toes. I could not do it on my left foot. I had to learn that, and it took me about two weeks, because it was constant, mental thing. It wouldn't move. For the first week, wouldn't move, but then it started moving.

Q. So when you see yourself able to do it now...

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I ran and I screamed in the hallway, like I don't know. I never been so happy in my life (smiling).

Q. If you were to win the US Open this year, what would be your dream meal?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: My goodness. Jesus, if I'm going to think on the court if I win what meal am I going to get? (Laughter). Serving for the match, the tournament, Jesus, Am I going to have chicken or fish? Hmm. Where should I go? Jamaica or Barbados. I don't know. It's gonna be, you know, a tough decision. Tough decision.

Q. Is it more satisfying when you beat the top-ranked players getting to a championship or more important to have those top-ranked players in the way to get there and beat them in the finals?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think it doesn't really matter. I think it's a matter for a story, but for you personally, you don't care as long as you have the trophy and you worked your way through it. If you won the tournament, you don't really care who you face really. Of course, you always want to compete against the best and whoever gets to the final at that place is the best. So that's how I really look at it.

Q. It's no sweeter if you beat Serena or Maria versus some other players?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Sweeter? Sorry, when you said sweeter and Maria, I totally thought about the candy. (Laughter.) I was like, Jesus. But I think, you know, just playing against them it's always -- I consider them one of my biggest rivalries, so it's -- I don't think if it's sweeter or not. We just had a lot of -- there's more history in that. Let's put it that way.

Q. Do you feel that you're at 100% right now, that you will be able to win the tournament?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: If I had a magic ball I would answer to you as to that question. I believe I am. You know, I don't think if you ask an athlete when they wake up in the morning and they feel 100% that -- when they will tell you that, I'll be very surprised.

Q. Wondering how your injury is doing after pulling out of Cincinnati. How is the healing coming along? Do you feel as ready as you can be for this tournament?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: It feels a lot better. I think it was a very smart decision to not play there, which was very unfortunate. But I feel better. You know, I don'tneed to tape my knee that much anymore. I have just been working hard to get strength in there and just to be stable. During practice it doesn't bother me, so I'm ready to go.

Q. In the absence of an ideal preparation to a tournament like this, is it comforting to come back to a tournament where you have had so much success?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah. I mean, it's not really about coming back with what you had done before. I just love playing here. I think it's such an amazing event. The energy that is here, you know, it's a Grand Slam in New York City. You cannot take it for granted, no matter how many times you have played or how well you have done here. I just want to look at it from this perspective. I'm always excited. You know, the preparation, I believe I have done the best I could. I have been managing every day to try to get the best out of every day. So in that way I think it was ideal, you know. We'll see.

Q. Why do you love to play here? What's so different in New York than other tournaments?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think it has their own -- New York has their own character. You know, I love the fans here. They are very honest, and I love that. You know, they like you. They love you. They'll cheer. If they don't like something they'll boo. That's what makes it very passionate and exciting. Plus, I have been dreaming to play here even as a kid to be on the big stages. Every time I come here it feels special.

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interv ... 91635.html

[Lucas]

Wywiad z Wiktorią Azarenką po wygranym meczu I rundy US Open 2014:

Spoiler:

Q. For two sets it was pretty tough. How were you feeling?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think she played really well, you know. She served really well and took the opportunities on the service games. I felt like I had some chances, but I didn't really commit well enough. You know, she really went for it. So the second set was all about try to stay with her and try to create more opportunities. I felt like I started to be more aggressive. So, yeah, I think that switch of just staying out there and keep fighting, it was important today.

Q. Physically you felt 100%?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm so tired of answering this question. What is 100% physically?

Q. No pain.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, as an athlete, you will always have a little bit of something there. But I felt good. You know, I felt throughout three sets I was pretty consistent with movement and everything. So it was all good.

Q. What is your reaction to a 15-year-old winning a match here for the first time since 1996?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Winning a match in a Grand Slam?

Q. It hasn't happened in so long.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think it's a great opportunity. You know, I have no idea who she beat or who the girl is. I think it's a great achievement. Hopefully she can keep it up.

Q. She upset the No. 12 seed, Cibulkova.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, that's impressive. That's really impressive for at 15. But I can't tell you much because I have no idea what we talking about. By the result, just by result itself, it's impressive.

Q. You said on the court after you won that you were enjoying the fight this summer. You showed a lot of fight in the third set. What has that been like, the process of your competitiveness?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, you know, I think coming back from not playing in general is always tough because you need to get that momentum. You know, I've been working hard on my body. I feel like I'm improving in every aspect. Sometimes what it is, it's challenging to get the rhythm because your physical ability raises up and your tennis has to catch up. So during the tournament it's sometimes a battle to do that. But I just take that as it happens. I feel like I'm working on the right things, you know. And the most important for me fighting-wise is just to enjoy my time on the court. You know, no matter how hard it is or what's going on, I just need to enjoy. I need to have that passion. I do play with passion. And I think I have a little bit of extra motivation in a way that I didn't play in a while. I just realize I love tennis that much.

Q. It seemed like there were a couple moments when you were giving yourself a pep talk on the court, to get yourself back in a point or a game. Where does that come from? It almost seemed like you were having an argument with yourself or your game.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I'm my own toughest opponent. So I talk to myself. I curse at myself. I pump myself up. Whatever it takes to do, I don't really give a damn how it looks really because when I'm in the moment I need to be me and I need to do me. Whatever helps me to be out there and fight and give my best on every single point, that's what I'm going to do.

Q. You just came back from injuries. This is the first match of the US Open. You lost the first set to almost an unknown player. What was your feeling at that point? Were you panicking or were you very calm? How did you feel?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think that's a little bit unfair to say that way. I think it's a little bit disrespectful to say about my opponent, an unknown player. I know her, I think she has big potential. She showed it today. She has great shots, great serve, and she was really fighting hard. I'm not going to feel the way you probably think I should because I was just giving my best fight. In any match you play, you got 50/50 chances. No matter how much of a favorite you are or somebody else is, you still got to go and win. You know, you got to fight hard, and that's it. Anything can happen. So to have respect to my opponent, I definitely had that.

Q. What about the speed of the court? What were your observations with how it compared to previous trips to the Open for you?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Previous Opens? I don't know. But all the courts here are different, so we just have to get used to it. And, you know, play out there and don't really think is the court fast or is the ball flying more. You just got to compete.

Q. If you were put in charge of the sport and could change any rule about the matches, or add a rule, delete a rule, what do you think you would choose to change?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: About the rules of the game? I think it's a very complex question. It has to be discussed with some players and take in consideration just how players feel in general. On my own opinion, I don't want to structure it that way. The only thing that sometimes I get confused is when it's a late call or a not late call, and the umpire decides if you replay the point or the point is yours. That, I don't never understand that rule. I think we might have to look at that.

Q. What do you think could be adjusted so that lack of clarity could be fixed?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I think that's probably between players to try to figure out. It's not a media discussion. I think if it needs to be addressed, it should be addressed at the player meeting, talk to the tournament directors, you know, the tour. So I believe that.

Q. At a Grand Slam you have a lot of chances to play a lot of matches. Do you feel the momentum could build here?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: There's a better chance for that. If it's going to happen? I don't know. I wish I could be a psychic and tell you what's going to happen in the future. I think I put the best chances on my side that way. You know, I'm going to take every day and try to make the best out of every day. I know results is going to come. It's just a matter of time. I believe in myself, so I just got to keep working hard.

[Lucas]

Wywiad z Wiktorią Azarenką po wygranym meczu II rundy US Open 2014:

Spoiler:

Q. Got off to a bit of a slow start, but found your rhythm and steamrolled from there. Talk about your match, how you were able to turn things around.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think she started really well. I felt like I was a little bit, you know, watching too much and not aggressive enough. But she really picked her targets and went for her shots. It took me a little bit of time to get into the rhythm. And, you know, conditions weren't really easy. I think also I needed a little bit of a moment to adjust. But in the next match I've got to be able to do that earlier. But I'm glad I was able to turn things around and I stayed in the moment and really was working my way through and trying to find the rhythm and trying to find the game that I was playing. When things turned around, I really felt like I stepped it up and kept my composure.

Q. Sometimes early, particularly in a Grand Slam, a two week tournament, is it you're struggling and find your way to do what needs to be done as the tournament goes on?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think you never know what's better. I think it's a matter of trying to make the best out of every day and try to improve. You know, in the end of the day is just try to give your 100% every day, your best. To play easier or tougher match, what's easier, I think it all comes in the end of what you want to achieve, you know. Sometimes it works for you; sometimes it doesn't. In terms of physical condition, I feel fine. I don't care how long I need to play. I'll be ready for the next match.

Q. Because of the injuries you had this year it was difficult to build any momentum, I assume. Do you feel like you're building something here? Does it feel like last year, for instance?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: It never will feel like last year. It doesn't even feel like yesterday to me (smiling). You know, it's as simple as that. I never look back at what happened. I think that's the right attitude, because that's what keeps me looking forward toward my goal. I think the momentum is not just from here just because I win two matches in a row or whatever. It started from when I actually started to play, you know, back in Eastbourne. So it's all the progression. It's always going to take time to rebuild, you know. I feel like I'm improving from day to day. I play much better than I played a month ago. So that's important. And I'm trying to pick it up and work hard, you know. I'll go practice after my match. I'm really in the process right now. As many matches as I can play, I'll play. Whatever it takes.

Q. McHale seemed aggressive the first three games and then was back behind the baseline. Did you see that and take advantage of it?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: What?

Q. She seemed to be playing especially aggressive and then was forced back. Did you notice that? You were 24 and 24 on net points.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, that could be two reasons for that. It could be that I was too far back at the beginning and then I started to play better and I pushed her back, or just because she thought, Hey, let me just back up. I'm not sure what she's done. I just want to speak about myself. I felt like at the beginning I was just not executing with the same conviction as I should have, and then I just started to be more aggressive and more taking my chances, more putting pressure on her. I think that's what made her back up a little bit.

Q. How do you assess your kind of feeling, your outlook going into this tournament? Everybody says you want to play one match at a time.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: That's what it is. I don't favor. I don't expect. I just play. That's what's important. I want to fight and I want to fight my hardest and I want to play, because I enjoy playing. The rest is not important to me.

Q. Roger Federer going for his 18th major; Serena Williams going for her 18th major. They seem so different. What similarities are there, if any, that you can determine from having played Serena and having watched Roger in their games and the way they conduct themselves on the court?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think what's similar is the numbers only, really. You know, they have completely different careers, completely different personalities, I would say, completely different game style. There's nothing to compare. I think they are both such amazing players, and just to talk about that they are both going for 18 Grand Slams is really remarkable.

[Lucas]

Wywiad z Wiktorią Azarenką po wygranym meczu III rundy US Open 2014:

Spoiler:

Q. Feeling a little bit more like the Azarenka before the injury and losing time this year on the court?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: No. Feel different. Feel different. As I always say, I don't look too much in the past. You know, I think I kind of reveal a little bit more new things about me when I play, how I feel on the court, what I tell myself what to do, how I approach the matches. I think it's a little bit kind of new, and I enjoy that part.

Q. I think this is your 100th Grand Slam win today. Did you know that?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Really? Where is my cake, then? Like for real. Tonight? Thank you. Put some icing on it.

Q. Yeah, how do you feel about that?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I didn't know about it, so obviously I need to think about it a little bit. I think it's a great achievement. It's just a number, really. I want to make it to 200 and maybe more.

Q. Is there a part of you that says, Hmm, I'm only 25; how could that be, so many matches? Because you're young.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, it feels like that. Then I think how many years I already played on the tour, and it's like that's, what, nine years? So that's like, okay, a little bit -- I mean, that's a lot. It's almost a decade. But I think it's just, as I said, just a number. It's obviously a great number, but I want to raise it much higher.

Q. How much do you feel like you lost in terms of that kind of six months that you were out. Do you feel like you had to like start back and find your form and everything?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Always. I mean, it's part of rebuilding, you know, in anything you do. If a regular person ran a marathon and then they don't run for six months, they stiff gotta start with half an hour, then an hour. It's kind of the same concept in anything you do. But I think the importance is your attitude towards that. I keep hearing people asking me how tough it is or how much you lost, and my attitude is really not how difficult it was or how much I lost. It's how much I can gain from what happened and what I can do to look forward. Because that's really where I want to go and not look back. I don't feel bad for myself. I don't feel like I have to have excuses for what happened. I just really want to stay positive and just push myself to the limit.

Q. Five of the top eight seeds are gone at this point. Obviously Genie doesn't play until tonight. Or you don't even pay attention to that?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, I don't really pay attention to that, because I try to focus on what I gotta do. It's always been like this. Just kind of take care of what you can take care of, you know, what you can control. I have no idea what somebody else is gonna do. I just try to stay in the moment and keep having fun. It's really all about that.

Q. Have you looked at the draw?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I never look at the draw.

Q. But now for the next match?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I play against Krunic.

Q. Do you know much about her?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know about her much. I have seen just really briefly couple of points. But, you know, she obviously is playing great tennis and really inspired here, you know, winning so many matches in a row and upsetting such a great player. So it's going to be tough. I think it's always tricky when you don't know your opponent, but I just want to focus on my game and try to get prepared as best as possible and, again, have fun.

Q. Given you don't know much about her, how do you think you'll learn about her?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: That's not my job. That's my coach's job. He gets paid for it (smiling). I meant it in a good way. He knows.

Q. The last few games you were winning real easy, but you had an annoyed look on your face. Was something bothering you?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I had an annoyed look on my face? No, I'm just fierce like that. I don't know. It's my way of feeling good, you know, what I show on my face. I don't know. I don't really have a mirror right there, but my emotions are really positive and all I talk about to myself is positive things. I don't know how it looks from the outside. I keep talking to the crowd all the time. They're fun.

Q. Going back to what you were saying about being on the tour for almost a decade, can you reflect on the difference between tennis time and lifetime? In life years you're very young, but in tennis years you're now --

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Thank you.

Q. -- a veteran. And you're seeing probably earlier in the week a player like CiCi Bellis, who is 15. How do you balance that kind of sense of where you are in life when tennis is telling you something different from what actual age is telling you?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: You know, for me, I don't feel 25 years old. Sometimes I feel I'm 12 years old. Sometimes I feel I'm 50 years old. So it really depends on the situation and where you are. I mean, if I see -- if I walk around in the city and I see swings, I'm going to hop on and just ride them, you know. But when I'm, you know, at the tennis courts I know I have to be responsible. Or when I, you know, have to take care of my finances I have to be responsible. So it's really just that balance. But when I'm on the tennis court, I want to feel as I was when I started to play tennis. I want to feel that passion and that desire every time I step on the court. So that's what I'm looking for, to not think about what age but just to create the feeling that you want to get in whatever situation you're doing.

Q. But you also want to build on the vast experience you have, right? You don't want to sort of forget about all the matches because you have learned so much.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I think it comes out kind of naturally more. You don't really think, Oh, I have that experience, so that's going to help me. I think it comes out more naturally, and in the tough moment you really raise the level. That's why I think when people talk about pressure, I think best players, they really play better under pressure. Even though you don't like to be under pressure, but you are able to find your best game under pressure.

Q. Out on court, it's no secret you're in your office and you're really, really intense. That's just who you are. That's your approach.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah.

Q. While off the court you're just so fun-loving. Everywhere you go at these events people love you.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Thank you.

Q. It's good stuff. My question is: How do you deal with that difference? Because you're so appealing and cuddly off the court, but on court...

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm cuddly (laughter)?

Q. But on court it's hard to sort of -- you know what I'm saying?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I think I'm very competitive off the court, too. If you're going to go play basketball with me, I'm going to want to rip your heart out. I'm going to want to score on you and I am going to want to dunk on you, whatever. But off the court you just appreciate things. I love to have fun. On the court when I battle and I'm that intense, it's still fun for me. It's just a little bit of a difference. I'm really there to take care of business because I want to win, and I know what I've got to do to put myself in the best situation to win. So I've got to be focused. You know, you can't just be, Eh, eh, eh, like that, you know. I just really try to understand what I need to perform the best.

Q. I guess what I'm trying to say is that most people just sort of get the one Vika who is out there and it's a little bit loud.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: A little bit loud? Yeah, I'm actually pretty loud off the court, because can you hear my laughing really loud all the time.

Q. It was so funny at Stanford. During one match you were way down, hundred yards away, and that's all we heard. But anyway, yet they don't sense this other side. I'm asking, you know, how do you feel about that people don't really get you quite so much?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: You know, what's the most important thing for me is when people meet me and they say, Hey, you're really cool. You're really nice. I love how you are in real life. That's what's most important for me, because the other things what's going on is the opinion of somebody else writing the stuff or saying the stuff. But when you meet me face to face and you say, I don't like you or you're this way, I'll think about it. But I don't hear that when I meet people face to face.

Q. Can you talk about how you felt you played today? Looked like a very solid performance to somebody watching. What was your assessment?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think I started the match really on a high level, and I felt like I stayed there really consistent. I think that was different from my previous match where I started a little bit slower, a little bit on the back foot, and I kind of picked it up from the way I finished my last match. Kind of brought it to this match and I stayed there. So I think that was a good and stable performance. I picked it up on the important moments. I really stayed aggressive. I think my serenity was there.

Q. You were talking about pressure earlier, and this is the lowest you have been seeded at the US Open.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I have been at the US Open where I wasn't seeded, too.

Q. But when you have been seeded. So there is a little less pressure on you than past years. Is there anything about that that can be helpful or even good?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I feel kind of always -- I don't really favor -- the numbers, they don't really exist to me, you know. I just feel that you still gotta perform. No matter how much seeded you are, who you play, you've still got to go out there and win the matches. These are statistics. These are rankings. It's a result of your game, of your winning matches. So that, to me, never mattered.

Q. Some people talk about spreading their wings. The other day you were talking about spreading your toes. What the heck is that about? Real therapy? That was part of your healing process? Just talk about that.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, it was part of the rehab. I had to learn how to spread my toes because my foot was -- because of how much time we spent in the shoes my foot was a little -- it was like gang sign or something like that, so it wouldn't move. But then I just had to learn how to spread it, you know, to make sure I have space in between my toes, because that's where my injury was.

[Lucas]

Wywiad z Wiktorią Azarenką po wygranym meczu IV rundy US Open 2014:

Spoiler:

Q. One of your favorite subjects is Gaël Monfils. How would you describe what it's like to watch him play?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think he's one of the best entertainers in tennis. I think it's so amazing to watch him play. Sometimes I get a little bit frustrated with him because I know he should win some matches that he loses. I think he's still yet to reach his full potential, because I think he's super, super talented.

Q. What are your thoughts on his match tomorrow?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think it's going to be interesting. Obviously Grigor is playing really well and really confident this year. I think he stepped up on his whole other level, so it will be tough. But we'll see (smiling).

Q. That was I think one of the best women's matches that we've seen so far this week.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Thank you.

Q. A tough fight from both sides. Curious if you were surprised about what Krunic was able to do, or impressed? That was the first time you played her. I don't know if you saw her much before.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I haven't watched, so obviously I didn't have a lot of data on her or, you know, much of an idea. I think she played exceptionally well today. I'm not sure if I would have watched the matches before that would help me a lot, I think because I felt like not knowing much she still played on a really high level and pretty consistent through the whole match. She gave a fight, and she wasn't afraid to go big on the important moments. I was a little bit surprised that she's not that tall, and she hits the ball and unleashes her forehand with so much power. So that was quite surprising. But, you know, I think she's a young player. She has a good future if she keeps going this way.

Q. What do you think you have proven to yourself about the physical ailments you have overcome and in gaining confidence as you have advanced?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Proving to myself?

Q. Yes, because when you have physical problems you have to get back to a certain stage. How have you done that and what have you shown yourself?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I just really try to focus on, you know, each day at a time. I don't look back of how tough it was. I just try to make the best out of that situation. I have been working really hard on my body and try to come back stronger than I was before, so I feel that I'm still in the process. But I'm glad that I'm making this run to create myself opportunities to have, you know, competition, endurance, get match after match after match in a Grand Slam, you know, on such a high level. So it's a great achievement. But in terms of, you know, body, what did I do, is just really try to stay positive and work hard. That's a simple answer. I don't think there is much of a magic happening unless you just put all the chances on your side to try to do your best.

Q. You won the girls title here. Do you think that gives you an advantage when it comes to the women's title here?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: No (smiling). No, because I think you have a seen a lot of junior players who won, you know, juniors and we never saw them again.

Q. What are your thoughts on the matchup with Makarova?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think she's a very tough opponent because she's very consistent. You know, she reads the game really well. We had some tough matches in the past. I think she's not afraid to play against top players. She handled herself well against, you know, big names in Grand Slams. She's definitely playing well. I'm looking forward to that match.

Q. What have you enjoyed the most during this tournament so far in the way you've played given what you've suffered?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: You're making it sound like I went through, I don't know, that I almost died and, you know, there was 10 sharks and I got attacked and I survived. And, you know, I saved a dolphin, as well. It's not that complicated, really. You know, what I enjoy is to play tennis. To be talking about what happened with my injuries, I mean, it's useless already. Really what I want to do is to focus on the moment and, you know, just leave this moment, enjoy this moment because I really do, and try to make the best out of this particular moment. What happened in the past, you know, I ain't got no genie in the bottle to wish what could I do in the past.

Q. Just going back to the recent past, the match that just finished, you know, you were happy at the end that you won. There were moments of frustration kind of during the match. I'm curious about some of that frustration. I know are they're intense and emotional and all that. But in terms of the frustration, how much of it was what she was doing, like getting back tons of balls? How much of it you didn't feel like you were kind of hitting maybe quite as well? What was the balance between what she was sort of doing and what you were maybe struggling to do?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I mean, it kind of comes together, you know. She obviously brings a lot of balls and she makes you go sometimes for extra shots. I didn't feel so much frustration. I just wanted to push myself to be doing the right thing. The only thing I was frustrated is because I kept putting my butt back, like, I mean, I wouldn't follow the ball. That was the frustrating part, that I kept doing the same thing. But I think that's what she does with her game to really push -- for yourself to find an opportunity and go for it. I think in the second set I have done that and in the third set I have done that to break her and really take the lead.

Q. Did her style of play remind you of anybody in particular?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I didn't think about it.

Q. You were talking about Milos's sleeve before, and Serena was saying that she was the one that said it first, that she wanted the sleeve. What do you think about that?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: When did she say that?

Q. The other press conference before.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: She said today?

Q. She didn't mention you, but I was thinking maybe she was...

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well we got it all squared out because I text her right after. I said, Hey, I already said that first, so back off. She said, Oh -- and she said very nice tweet. She said, Oopsy. I said really? That's what you went with? Oopsy? So, yeah, it's pretty fascinating. I was thinking about that tweet for like before my match when I was watching, because I played after Milos. I was like, I can't wait to tweet that, but if I do that before my match you're going go, She's not focused. I was like, okay, I will do it after my match. So I tweeted after my match. The funny story, I actually went on his Twitter after. I like to see who people follow sometimes, and that dude follows Milos Raonic's hair, Milos Raonic's Sleeve. To me, it's incredible. He's a rock star.

Q. You might get your own account with the thing you were doing today.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, I'm not going to develop that, but I'm sure a lot of people would like to do that.

Q. You mentioned that not a lot of people have won the girls' and the women's singles. Why do you think that is? Are the skills that different, to win the two events?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Do you really want me to answer that question?

Q. Honest answer.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: But you don't have like a perspective on that question? Like the juniors and the pros? It's whole different world. Like really, it's a whole different world. Mentality, the preparation, the physical aspect, I think is just night and day.

Q. You talked about Milos' sleeve. Do you feel comfortable back in the shorts? During your big winning streak, beginning of 2012, all in shorts. I'm wondering if you're in a happy place again now that you're back in them.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Ben, you're killing me every time.

Q. It's a good question.

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I mean, I missed you so much. You didn't show up in any of my press conferences before and I was wondering when are you going to show up with some ridiculous stuff. I think my shorts are in a happy place, you know. They are on a happy place. You know, it's on my butt, so it's in a happy place.

Q. What was Gaël's reaction, if you heard it, to your happy birthday song?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, he text me that he loves me very much and -- not in that way. Okay. Okay. I just wanted to wish him happy birthday. I wanted to make it special. He was really touched. So I think that was kind of cool.

[Lucas]

Wywiad z Wiktorią Azarenką po przegranym meczu 1/4 finału US Open 2014:

Spoiler:

Q. Your PR representative tweeted a little while ago after the match that you were suffering from food poisoning. What were the circumstances and how did it affect you?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: You know what? I don't really want to talk about it. I just, you know, want to give credit to my opponent. She played really well today. Am I disappointed? Yes, I'm disappointed. But I feel like I tried my best with whatever I had. But, you know, I just want to wish her good luck. That's it. I'm out of the tournament.

Q. How would you describe the luck that you have had this year?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't want to -- I don't care. I mean, it's not luck. It's nothing. It's just circumstances that you have to deal with and something that comes up and you deal with it. I had to deal with it today, and, you know, as I said, I did my best with what I could today. Can I play better? Absolutely. Will I doubt that I can play on a higher level? No chance. Nobody will tell me what I can or I cannot do.

Q. She played kind of a classic left hander's game and made a lot of winners; did pretty well with her serve. Can you analyze her game and talk just a little bit about how you felt she played?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think she was really solid. She did serve really well, especially in the important moments. I think it gave her a lot of opportunities to make winners and everything. But, you know, even though I felt like I still had chances, I just didn't really play selective and the right tennis at the right moment. But she definitely stepped it up. She was really consistent. You know, as I said, she deserves to win, and I wish her good luck.

Q. Having been a part of the last two finals, how disappointing is it not to be back there again?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Very disappointing. How many times -- like how do you feel? How do you think somebody will answer a question like that? Of course it is disappointing. It's not about that you have been two times in the final before that's going to make it better. It just is what it is today. It's not the end of the world. It's something I can take positive from this tournament, you know. Two months ago I didn't even think that I was going to be able to play today. But, you know, trying to ask and put some kind of pressure like that with those questions I think is no point.

Q. You had a bit of food poisoning the previous night?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah.

Q. No practice yesterday?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, I didn't practice yesterday.

Q. Few times during today's match you made almost like a move towards your mouth. Were you feeling okay out there? Was there anything going on out there?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Guys, I'm not going to make excuses for myself. You can ask me 20 times the same question. I'm not going to make any excuses today. As I said, I did the best I could today. I want to give full credit to my opponent. She deserves to win. She played much better than me today. That's it.

Q. Are you able, under the circumstances, to say you have some satisfaction in getting this far based on everything that's kind of gone on?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: Definitely. You know, it's first time since Australian Open where I was able to play five matches during the tournament, so I can definitely take out the positive of this tournament. You know, whatever I have done on and off the court during practice I never give up on every single day. You know, I have been working really hard. I know that's going to pay off. So today is just one of the days that I have to go through, and I'm going to go through it.

Q. What sort of schedule do you now have coming up, do you know?

VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm going to play a tournament in Tokyo. I entered tournaments in Wuhan and Beijing. I'm going to try to play as much as I can in the end of the year.

[Lucas]

Vika nie zagra do końca sezonu

Spoiler:

Hi everyone, I have some news to share…Unfortunately I will not be competing in any tournaments for the remainder of the season. It has been a very tough year for me. I have been trying my best to improve day in and day out by pushing and pushing…but that does not appear to be the best approach for me right now. I will use this time to work on making a full recovery and take care of my body to compete at my best next season. I always believe that everything happens for a reason and everything doesn't happen the way you'd want it to but it is up to you to make the best out of everything that does…and that is exactly what I am going to do.

The sad part about making this decision is not being able to play in these amazing tournaments that I really enjoy playing in every year and performing in front of all of you! You are all truly my motivation and inspiration! I want to thank all my fans and my team for your support. It means a lot to me. I love you guys. There is a great deal for us to accomplish still. And I will be there with all my heart and passion giving you 100% to get it done!

Love V

https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaAzarenka

[Jacques D.]

To był dla Wiktorii sezon naznaczony zmaganiami z kontuzją stopy. Białorusinka sporo pauzowała, zaliczyła kilka porażek we wczesnych rundach. Mimo to, udało jej się osiągnąć kilka ćwierćfinałów, w turniejach wielkoszlemowych - Australian Open i US Open, oraz w Montrealu.

Pozycja w rankingu na koniec sezonu: 31

[Lucas]

Wiktoria Azarenka wylądowała w Brisbane. "Trenowałam naprawdę bardzo ciężko"

Spoiler:

Wiktoria Azarenka jako jedna z pierwszych tenisistek przyleciała do Brisbane. Białorusinka będzie chciała nawiązać do sukcesu z 2009 roku, kiedy to triumfowała w całych zawodach.
- Trenowałam naprawdę bardzo ciężko. Mam na najbliższy rok kilka celów do zrealizowania, więc zobaczymy, czy uda mi się je wszystkie osiągnąć - powiedziała Wiktoria Azarenka zaraz po przylocie do Brisbane.

W poprzednim sezonie Białorusinka sporo straciła z powodu kontuzji stopy, dlatego też obecnie zajmuje w rankingu WTA dopiero 31. lokatę. - Miałam długą przerwę, ale jestem szczęśliwa, że przyleciałam tutaj kilka dni wcześniej. Turniej ten zawsze był mocno obsadzony, zatem liczę na kolejne dobre zawody - wyznała Wika, która w 2009 roku wygrała premierową edycję imprezy Brisbane International.
Azarenka straci w najbliższy poniedziałek 305 punktów, które w zeszłym roku zdobyła w Brisbane za przegrany finał z Sereną Williams. Tym razem była liderka rankingu WTA nie będzie w głównej drabince rozstawiona, dlatego już w I rundzie może trafić na wyżej notowaną od siebie przeciwniczkę. Głównymi gwiazdami imprezy będą Maria Szarapowa i Ana Ivanović.

http://www.sportowefakty.pl/tenis/49096 ... dzo-ciezko

[Lucas]

Azarenka Meets Beckham In Doha

Spoiler:

DOHA, Qatar - After winning a dream semifinal against Venus Williams at the Qatar Total Open, Victoria Azarenka did what many can only dream of - she met soccer megastar David Beckham.

"It was amazing. I think every girl in the world is a bit jealous of my moment!" Azarenka said.

"I really admire him. He's such an amazing athlete. He's just so beautiful as well, so it definitely made me blush! But he was so nice - he congratulated me and said he was impressed with my play."

Beckham was in the stands as Azarenka battled past Williams, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, winning nine games in a row from 6-2, 2-1 down to win the second set and completely take control of the third set, finishing it off a few games later. She had never won a set against her fellow former World No.1 before Friday.

"I didn't feel any pressure with him watching, but I really wanted to do well. I even did a little dribble with the ball hoping he would see it!" Azarenka told wtatennis.com. "But I think it was entertaining to have him there, and it was great for the crowd. I really appreciate him coming and watching.

"It's definitely great for women's tennis to have that kind of support."

There was another star athlete at the match Azarenka had some very kind words for.

"I haven't seen Venus play like this for a while," the Belarusian added. "Especially in the first set. Although I believe I wasn't sharp enough or quick enough, she was really dictating the pace and really going for her shots. I had to find the window and find that opportunity to get back into the match."

Azarenka has now won 14 matches in a row in Doha, winning the title in her last two appearances here in 2012 and 2013. She had to sit the Premier-level tournament out in 2014 due to a foot injury.

Standing between Azarenka and the title is Lucie Safarova, who cruised against Carla Suárez Navarro in the day's first semifinal, 6-3, 6-2. Azarenka has beaten Safarova all six times they've played.

"Lucie's been showing some amazing tennis from last year as well, so her confidence level is definitely up," Azarenka said of the Czech. "I'm sure it's going to be a good match. I'll have to be ready."

Safarova will be going for her first Premier title - her first five WTA titles are all Internationals.

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/4 ... am-in-doha

[Jacques D.]

W Dausze Wika zanotowała przegrany finał nr 16 w swojej karierze (bilans 17-16).

[Lucas]

#18) Brisbane 2016







R32 Win [Q] Elena Vesnina (RUS) 115 6-2 6-0
R16 Win [L] Ysaline Bonaventure (BEL) 170 6-3 6-2
Q Win [8] Roberta Vinci (ITA) 15 6-1 6-2
S Win [Q] Samantha Crawford (USA) 142 6-0 6-3
F Win [4] Angelique Kerber (GER) 10 6-3 6-1

[Barty]

Wywiad po zwycięstwie w 1. rundzie Australian Open 2016

Spoiler:

Victoria Azarenka def Alison van Uytvanck 6-0 6-0

Q. Perfect start to the tournament for you. Even for a perfectionist, that had to have been pretty darn good.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Pretty happy. I don't think I'm looking for perfection. I'm looking for effort. I'm looking for focus. I like that I was very composed today from first point to the last point. Like it didn't matter what the score was, I was there on every point.

So that's what I'm very happy about today.

Q. Now that you've had a bit of time to think after the match, can you elaborate on the smell of the court.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I really don't know the smell. It's like trying to describe a color. Can you?

Q. Different shades.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Shades. But with the words, how do you describe color?

Q. You can say it smells like something.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I have no idea what it smells like. It takes me a little bit down the memory lane. It just, you know, makes me excited. So I would say it's less of a smell as much as memories, you know, and the feelings that I get.

Q. Anything particular about your game, outside of the mental aspect of it, that you were especially happy with today, that you thought you executed really well?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think I served really well today. I was very consistent with it. I did good placement. My return was good, but I think my return is, you know, quite a big weapon. So I'm happy with that.

But overall I think I played a really good match. I was patient when I needed. I was aggressive when I needed. When I needed to change pace or, you know, get that extra shot in, I did that.

There is not much to complain. I just hope to stay focused and keep it up and keep working for the next match.

Q. In Brisbane you were saying in your off-season it took you some time to get your movement back, to be as efficient as you wanted to be.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah.

Q. But you also said it was a long way off; you weren't exactly where you wanted to be. You look like you're moving fantastically out there. Are you far off from where you want to be movement-wise?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I want to think so. I really want to have that as my goal. You know, I'm still reaching for stuff. I mean, really what perfect movement for me is looking at Djokovic. I really love to see the way he moves, how fluid he is, how efficient he is, the transition he does.

For me, that's kind of the goal.

Q. Did you feel the same back in 2012 when you won it?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I honestly don't remember how I felt. All I remember is probably the pictures, the ceremony, the party after, but not really how I felt during the match (laughter).

Q. This is the first love and love result of this tournament. Do you remember that happening often to you? Your opponent made quarterfinals in Roland Garros last year.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I really wasn't focused on the score. I mean, the outcome, when you finish the match, is pretty remarkable and it's great. But what I was really happy is that I was able to sustain that for 12 games, you know, and really didn't lose my focus for any point.

For me, that's more important than the scoreline. But, I mean, it goes together.

Q. Do you remember, did it ever happen to you when you were young to lose this way?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: To lose? Yeah, it happened obviously. But actually remember that time very well. I think I was, like, 10 years old, or 11. On the professional level it didn't happen to me. But I was 11 years old. I was trying to get into Nationals for under 18, but obviously I was too young and I didn't get in.

Somebody retired and they gave me the spot. I was in school writing my essay. My dad came in and said, Hey, you got to go. I said, Where, dad?

He said, You got a spot. You can go and play. I was like, Really? He was like, Yeah. So I got excited, went to the court, got beat, I cried myself to sleep that day, and that was horrible experience.

But, you know, I came back to practice the next day, and I don't think that ever happened to me again. Hard work pays off.

Q. Can you remember the last time you had a bagel or a doughnut yourself?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I've actually been on the diet for a while (laughter). I don't eat bagels.

I actually don't remember. No, I don't remember. Maybe Miami against Kuznetsova. I think that might have been the third set. She just killed me there.

Q. I was talking to some of the younger players, early 20s, late teens, asking them who they idolized, who they modeled their game after. Your name came up quite a bit.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Really?

Q. Yes. If you can step outside of yourself and look at your game, what is it about your game, do you think, that would make people want to emulate specific things?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's difficult. You know, I always picture like thinking to myself, If I would play against myself, what would I be doing? It's like, I don't really know. It would be interesting just to see that picture, to face myself.

I think I'm pretty all-around player. I think that's what is showing a little bit more right now, more of my variety and the things that I can do. I think that probably my movement is back to -- is pretty good.

I don't know. I'm not a big fan of complimenting myself that much. I just try to always look for I want to get better, you know. But that's pretty interesting. I would actually want to hear from those players what it is that they, I guess, admire about me. That would be a really cool thing.

Q. Does it surprise you to hear that younger players want to model themselves after you?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's an honor. I really feel like it's an honor. It's cool. I feel like I'm a kid who wants to grow and who wants to improve as a player. I said it many times. Every time I see Roger Federer, I'm so like a fan girl, even when they were just chatting at the Kids' Day.

I love that feeling, so I think it's just an honor.

Q. Now that you've had your first match, how important was Brisbane and having all those matches rather than potentially losing early and having to go on the practice court?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Sorry, what?

Q. How important was it to play match play rather than potentially if you had gone out early in Brisbane and having to go to the practice court?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I mean, it didn't happen so I don't really give that much of a thought about it. I also know that today's winners is not going to win me next game. I have to keep working hard and stay focused.

Whatever happened in Brisbane is in the past. I can take my experience, what was working, and try to apply that and keep that. But the rest is kind of irrelevant right now. It's a new story. I have to really, you know, keep myself in the moment.

Q. Back to the bagel. When I asked if you can remember the last time you had a bagel, I meant when you won.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Oh, when I won. Brisbane.

Q. This year?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Brisbane, I think one of the matches was 6-Love. Not two bagels, but one of them, I think, yeah.

Q. So you're sticking with the dab in Australia?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: For now, yeah.

Q. For luck?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I just like doing it. I don't believe in luck. I believe in hard work.

Thanks for staying so late.

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/inter ... 90116.html

[Barty]

Wywiad po zwycięstwie w 2. rundzie Australian Open 2016

Spoiler:

Victoria Azarenka def Danka Kovinic 6-1 6-2

Q. Another quick win. How would you rate your performance so far?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think it was a good game for me. Stayed, you know, again solid from the first point to the last. You know, first set really started to dictate and create opportunities. I think playing that aggressive on return really gave me a little bit more freedom playing on my serve, as well.

No, just I think played really solid, executed my game well, and happy with that.

Q. Would you say that the consistency is the thing that you are finding back more and more since the start of the season, repeating great performances same level all the time from point 1 to the last?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I'm just really trying to stay in the moment. And I do want to keep improving from match to match. I think, you know, from now to further, it's just only going to get tougher, so I really want to keep that focus and that intensity and that determination. Really that's what I'm looking for, to keep applying the same effort, ans pay attention to details in preparation before the match.

I think, you know, the whole package is important, so I'm just trying to stay and keep following what works for me.

Q. Do you know anything about the next player you're going to face?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Not yet, but I'll have to study her.

Q. You haven't heard anything about her or seen videos?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Not really. Just heard she has some big -- a big serve and big shots, yeah.

Q. Is it easy to stay in the moment?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It is for me, because I really enjoy that. I don't want to, you know, think of what happened yesterday or what's going to happen tomorrow. I really want to stay present and enjoy what I do. You know, it comes from on court to whatever I do off court, you know, the prematch, after match, you know.

So I'm really just enjoying whatever is happening.

Q. I heard you say a few times since getting here that you're trying to appreciate the journey, and you have a new perspective on life now than before. Can you talk a little bit about where this new perspective has come from and the process of getting there?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think it comes from the experience. You know, whatever happens to you kind of leads you towards whatever moment is going to happen.

For me, what I found interesting for me is that it was going the wrong way. You know, I had injuries. I had not much of luck happening. I wanted to look and assess what it is I can do better, what it is I can improve.

First was, you know, getting healthy, and then trying to just enjoy. I don't know. It comes pretty natural, but it did require a lot of self-work and really start, you know, kind of accepting myself for, you know, failures that I had.

And really just accept those and move forward, try to see what I can do better.

Q. Have you exceeded your own expectations so far with your performances? Like do you think you've progressed further than you thought you would?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't have any expectations so I don't have anything to compare that to. I don't, you know. I don't set myself for that.

Q. Talk on the tour has been about your form. Do you think on the back of these couple of matches that you are "the" player or one of "the" players to beat?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Irrelevant. Sorry. I mean, I know I always answer the same way, but it's really how I feel. You know, the talk is just opinions. It's not facts. I say that you always have to go out there and you have to prove yourself and you have to play and you have to win, you know, to keep those opinions the same way.

Without that, it's not going to happen. But to me it's just opinions.

Q. Is there any concern about perhaps peaking too early in a tournament, or do you go out to win obviously from round 1?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No. We'll see what happens. Really not thinking too much ahead.

Q. When you win a match here, you have been doing a very distinctive salute. What is that and where does it come from and what does it mean?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's called the dab.

Q. A what?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: A dab. Dab. It comes from American football. A lot of celebration stuff. I think it's really fun. It's entertaining. I love doing it. Cam Newton made it viral and we happen to have the same agent, so I wanted to make my agent smile first. Then Cam heard that I started doing it. I know. I don't know. I just love the sign. I think it's cool.

Q. Injuries, you have had your share of them. Is everything solved for now or are you checking up regularly on the foot or anything?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm working on my body. I'm just working on my overall body to be healthy, to be the best fit as possible, and I believe I'm on the right track. I want to keep working hard, because it's still not where I want to be.

Q. You talk a lot about experience and all the things that have happened to you in your career so far. Do you feel like -- I'm not saying old -- but do you feel like a veteran now in your career?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: If you think about it, it's my 12th year being here in Australian Open. Almost half of my life. It's a long time. I still feel young and I think I still have a lot more years to play, so I don't really rate that.

But, you know, I have been around for a long time. It may feel like that. I see a lot of young players coming up, you know, who I haven't seen before. They are a lot younger. But, you know, just a cycle of life, I guess.

Q. Looking back on what you have done in your career, does it feel like it's come quickly or has it been slow or fast?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think time goes by quick. You know, it really flies. You know, when I was 18 years old it was like there is no way I'm playing after 27. I will be done. I will be doing whatever. I had big plans and everything. And clearly didn't work out so well.

So that's why I think my perspective comes from staying in the moment and really enjoying that, because making plans ahead so much doesn't really work, I guess. (Smiling.)

Q. Do you still have those big plans beyond tennis?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah. I mean, I have big goals and I have a lot of motivation and things that I want to achieve, for sure.

We'll see how long it takes me to achieve those.

Q. Can you share some of those goals?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't like to talk about my goals. I'd rather show them and then we can talk about it.

Q. Can you tell us how you perhaps compare how you're feeling in your body and form and your tennis this week compared to perhaps the couple of years that you won here? Are you feel in similar shape or better?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Honestly, I don't -- I think I'm feeling in the best shape body-wise, you know, spirit-wise, everything-wise. You know, my team around me, too.

I don't really remember how I felt back then because I think it was different stage of my career. I was approaching the tournament a little bit different. So it's hard to compare those. I'm just trying to see how I feel right now, and that's the most important.

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/inter ... 10116.html

[Barty]

Wywiad po zwycięstwie w 3. rundzie Australian Open 2016

Spoiler:

Victoria Azarenka def Naomi Osaka 6-1 6-1

Q. Do you think this is the best you have ever played at the Australian Open?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm not sure. I don't really count the games. I just try to focus on my execution more. I mean, the score doesn't really tell -- say pretty much the whole story sometimes.

But I'm pretty happy with the way I'm playing. I just, you know, I want to still keep improving from match to match, because it's only getting harder from here.

Q. You talked a lot here about how you try to have a different approach, no expectations, all the rest of it. Do you find yourself in a match reacting to a bad call, line call or something, and say, no, no, that was the old me; I'm different now?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: The beauty about it is that it doesn't bother me, so I don't have to think about if that was old me or not me. I just -- it just comes natural. I just try to focus on what I have to do and not really think about it.

Q. You talked a lot in Brisbane about the physical aspects.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah.

Q. You've got this admirable mindset. Have you had any psychology coaching, that sort of thing?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Not really. (Smiling.) No, not really. I think for me what works the best is communicating with people. You know, listening to other people's experience, you know, athletes, watching also - documentaries is also one of my favorite things and seeing what people are going through.

So trying to take that mindset and, you know, think what they have been through and try to see if that's something that I can relate to. And really just accepting whatever is coming, whatever kind of emotion, if it's good or bad, and trying to work through that.

Q. What kind of documentaries have you been watching?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Many. I watched on Tony González. He's a friend. Cam Newton, on J.J. Watt, like football players. On Kobe. I love watching not only documentaries but interviews, because when it's one on one, I think it's really interesting for me. I love to share that experience.

Q. And J.J. is a really dominant player. What did you learn from that?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It was interesting for me to see his story, the way he approached from when he came as a kid and how he went all the way through. The part of the journey, that's what's most interesting for me. Not really what particularly they are doing right now, but what led up to all that mentality.

Q. Kobe came from high school and jumped right into the pros and you came right from Belarus.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: That's the same. (Laughter). From high school to the pros and from Belarus. Yeah, okay.

I would say Belarus was a high school, too, you know. It was a school, definitely.

Q. Kobe has spent a lot of time there. But anyway, were you impressed just the way he went from high school to the pros and that transition? Was that part of your experience in watching...
VICTORIA AZARENKA: That's really remarkable. There haven't been many more players who actually had an opportunity to do that, but his transition of moving to the pros was so dominant that that was really remarkable. As always, will have my respect for that.

Q. You said you're not going to defend your gold medal in the Olympics in mixed earlier this week. Just wondering off of that, what sort of advice would you give to all these people looking for a partner, trying to figure out how that works, not getting many chances to play mixed before the Olympics?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I have no idea. I wish I would tell you what's the recipe is. I mean, I only had one partner that I can play with, so there was no choice. That was kind of made for me, and it helped (Smiling.)

I just played -- what helped I think that we played before. We won a Grand Slam together, so that was really, you know, great confidence going into. We tried a tournament before that. Max is such, you know, an amazing doubles player, so I couldn't really complaining much.

Q. Did you ever play in the slams against like a couple who was dating? If so, what was that like?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Dating?

Q. Yeah, where the guy and girl were boyfriend/girlfriend, something like that.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Ah, I have no idea. I never thought about it.

Q. Five top 10 women's players have been knocked out of the tournament. Are you surprised by this at all?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No. I mean, I don't know. I don't really pay attention to that. I think that just shows maybe a little bit of the depth of competition, that you have to be ready for every single match, and that's really what I'm trying to do.

Q. I think Muguruza and Halep said there is a lot of pressure at the slams; they both lost here. How do you deal with it?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I love it.

Q. I don't mean for you, but for the young players.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I love it. I embrace it. I don't know, pressure for me, I think it's part of where I came from. I always had pressure. I had one shot to get out of where I am, so that was way more pressure than I'm having pressure right now.

So I just embrace it. I think that motivates me.

Q. But even when you were young you were never nervous at all in the slams when you first started?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Everybody is always nervous. Don't tell me nobody as an athlete aren't nervous before the match. It is. It's just what you do for the nerves. Do you use them for your advantage and hype you up and use that adrenaline to your power, or use it to close in and not to do anything?

Q. Based on where you are now, what would you say to the Vika who was 15, 16 years old still trying to make sense of the big, bad world?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know if I would take anything back, but I would definitely -- because it brought me here, you know. I always would suggest for young players and, you know, for myself to be open-minded and have fun. Always try new things and be involved.

You have to be involved in whatever is happening, because once you turn around and you don't control what's happening for you, that's when I think trouble comes.

Q. I know you don't like to compare where you are right now as far as your form...
VICTORIA AZARENKA: But you're still going to ask me. (Laughter.)

Q. I'm actually going to ask you where you feel like you are as far as satisfaction with your current form, not comparing it to the past. But do you walk off the court happy or do you walk off the court with Wim and talk about all these Xs and Os? Where do you feel like Vika is right now with your tennis?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think there is always -- it's a healthy approach to look for what are the things that you can improve. I actually went back on the tennis court after my match today. I wanted to work on couple of things.

So looking for progression, it's definitely part of my mindset after any match.

Q. How long were you out there after your match?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: 20, 25 minutes. Not that long.

Q. Back to today's match, what was your mindset or approach towards the match which you are going to play the player you have never played before? And what kind of impression did you get of her?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Actually it was my third match here and third time against opponent who I never played against, so I think that was already -- already I have experienced that here.

She definitely surprised me with her play. I think in the first game you could see that I was a little bit off my timing because I was expecting some bombs coming my way and the ball came pretty slow.

So it took me a second to really adjust, but I think she has an interesting game. I think she has a lot of potential, has a lot of power. I'm sure we will see a lot more of her.

Q. Two or three times I think you have basically said, I have come to realize that it's important just to be me, to experience my own self, express myself that way. Was there a time when you sort of came to that decision? Was there a process instead of maybe meeting other people's expectations? Could you just talk about that?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I can't name you the date when it happened, but probably after US Open 2014 is something where I really realized that there is something inside me. Like I didn't feel good about myself. I have said that many times that I had a person tell me, Are you depressed? I said, No.

Because you don't allow -- as an athlete, you don't really weaknesses to show. And then I realized, Yes, I am. So that was the 2014, September, October, whatever. It started a process for me to just, you know, adjust and adjust. It's not easy.

Obviously it took me over a year to be able to control all that. You know, I had a lot of changes and emotions from last year that I still didn't know how to handle. I was trying to put them in places, but I wasn't able to control most of that.

Q. But it's been a really good process?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's been amazing. It changed my life. Really, it did. Starting to be happy and organized and disciplined off the court, it changed my life on the court, definitely.

Q. Were there any people outside of yourself who encouraged you in that or coached you?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: My friends, my family. I have very close group of friends who are absolutely amazing, and they really pushed me. You know, one of my best friends in Belarus, he pushed me. I called him one time, I said, I don't want to do this anymore. He said, You have to. You're this close. You've got to push through.

I'm very lucky that I have such amazing friends and family around me.

Q. You said something interesting earlier about the pressure you felt when you were younger in Belarus was more than, you know, playing a Grand Slam and stuff like that. Can you give a little bit more insight into that? Like what did that pressure feel like, look like? A specific example?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, first pressure is that if you don't win some tournaments you have absolutely no opportunity to go to any other. If you're not the best, you don't get, you know, sponsored at all.

So that was pretty rough. I was an ITF -- I remember this day. It still affects me every time. I was traveling for nine weeks, and, you know, in the juniors you play one or two matches a day. You can be -- you can play a certain time. If you skip lunch, you don't get to eat. I had no money. I didn't get to eat.

So that was pressure, you know, to survive. That was survival, really. So, you know, pressure right now is go out there and, you know, face a big opponent? Okay. But when you're like hungry and you've got to go play and you have absolutely nothing, that's big pressure.

Q. Do you think it's an advantage in some ways for players from places that maybe aren't that wealthy to have that kind of fierce pressure versus maybe more developed countries where it would be nice if they became a tennis pro but their life is not on the line?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I wouldn't call it as an advantage. I think that's just -- that's just what makes you tough. I wouldn't call it as an advantage, because it never feels like it, for sure.

Q. Next opponent, Barbora Strycova, you have beaten her the past two Australian Opens. You obviously must be confident. What concerns you most about her game at the time?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: She's a very tricky opponent, and obviously beating a top player like Muguruza shows she is capable of handling herself on the big stages.

I have played her and it's never easy. You never know what's going to come. I would like to approach that match the same way as I did my other matches: focus on myself and try to give the best on every point, because I think that's what creates a good approach for me mentally, physically, and I enjoy it more.

Q. Last year you had a couple very tough draws.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Sorry. Can you please repeat?

Q. Last year you had a couple of very tough draws in the Grand Slams, but now you are in a relatively most straightforward draw. Which do you prefer? Do you like the challenge of facing higher ranked opponents in a draw or do you prefer this kind of draw?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't really prefer anything because it doesn't matter. Not it doesn't matter. It doesn't depend on me. I can't control the draw, who's going to win or lose. I don't put myself in a situation to choose.

Whatever comes comes to me, and, you know, it's pretty normal. I wasn't really seeded last year or very low seeded, so it's normal that I do face tougher opponents in the first rounds. So for me it doesn't really matter.

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