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Data urodzenia: 31.07.1989
Miejsce urodzenia: Mińsk, Białoruś
Narodowość: Białoruś
Miejsce zamieszkania: Monte Carlo, Monako
Wzrost: 183 cm
Masa ciała: 70 kg
Gra: praworęczna, oburęczny backhand
Status profesjonalny od: 2003
Trener: Samuel Sumyk
It’s a rare phenomenon for a player aiming at a third Australian Open title in a row to receive as little media attention as Victoria Azarenka has in the build-up to AO2014.
But such was the nature of Serena Williams’ domination of the women’s game during 2013 that the Belarusian world No.2 has fallen into the shadow of her American rival in the media build-up to this year’s tournament.
The lack of hype is, however, something Azarenka is completely comfortable with on the eve of her title defence.
“I don't really care about it, honestly. I never cared about it," she said.
"I think the favourites, it's predictions that you guys (media) love to do that. For us, it's a matter of playing tennis and giving your best on the court.”
And the 2012 and 2013 title winner is playing down the hype about Williams, and the potential match-up against her in the final.
“I think everybody is the ones to beat here. We have such a high competition right now. You know, you always have to look for every opponent you play. You cannot look past anybody because everybody is prepared, everybody wants it badly.”
If Azarenka is not too concerned about Williams, she’s also showing no worries about the forecasted heat in Melbourne – as the mercury is tipped to hit 40 degrees Celsius on several days this week.
“Well, I've been here playing for, what, last eight years. It's not a new thing to play in the heat. I actually enjoy that. I mean, not all the time probably, but it's nice to get some sun,” Azarenka said.
In fact, it seems the Belarusian is just genuinely happy to be back in Melbourne, which has offered a fruitful start to the year for her in recent times - a place where she hasn’t lost a match since the fourth round in 2011.
“It's amazing. Every time I come back here, I love Australia so much. It's been like this since I actually came Just enjoy playing here. I think the fans are amazing here. It's called a players‑friendly Grand Slam for a reason, that's for sure.”
With what should be a straightforward first round match against Sweden’s Johanna Larsson on Tuesday and a relatively comfortable-looking path through to at the least the fourth round, Azarenka could be set to fly under the radar for a little longer yet.
MTT: Tytuły (8): US OPEN 2012 -debel, Sztokholm 2012, Australian Open 2013 - debel, Abu Dhabi 2014, Barcelona 2014, Australian Open 2016 - debel, Marsylia 2018, ATP Finals 2018 - debel
Finały (8): US OPEN 2013, Monte Carlo 2014, Umag 2014, Rotterdam 2015, Sydney 2016, US OPEN 2016 - debel, Winston-Salem 2018, US OPEN 2018 - debel
Q. Long enough in the sun today?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, it was pretty I mean, not too bad. I went to practice after, so I'm okay.
Q. Is that just to make sure you get your acclimatization up there? It's going to be hot for the next couple of days.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I think I mean, it's not easy, those conditions. You can't escape those. It's pretty hot out there.
But it's the same for everybody. You just have to adapt to it and try to do the best way to prepare for those conditions.
It's not easy. I thought they were going to close the roof for the second match, but, I mean, it's okay.
But I feel pretty good. Actually, I felt better as the match was going on than in the beginning.
Q. Any tricks of the trade to the heat? Do you get an ice bath after that kind of heat?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm going to go probably after. Just using ice, you know, hydrate. It's simple things, but you just have to be very disciplined about it. Ball kids make a great job just bringing the ice towels right there.
Q. Did you have a cold shower before you went out to hit the ball again, or is it a process that you go through to try and sort of bring your body temperature back down?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, I just went out straight to go hit. Actually put on a long sleeved shirt. It wasn't probably the smartest thing to do, but I'm fine.
Q. Should the roof have been closed for your match?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I would love it, but, you know, I think my opponent would also enjoy that. But it's fine, you know.
I think, you know, we're all in the same conditions. It's much hotter out there right now than when I was playing.
Q. Obviously you'd prefer a shorter match in those conditions, but you didn't seem to be playing badly in the first set. She just sort of brought it to you a lot, didn't she?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, she played really well. I can't say that I was surprised by that, but she really, you know, went for her shots. I think, you know, the ball with the conditions bounce a lot different and a lot higher, which suit her.
I think she likes that more, and it took me a little bit of time to just adapt and find my range and find my hitting zone.
That's it. But she really played well. She went out for her shots, a very talented player. I was expecting a tough match. It's never easy.
And when you play, you know, somebody who is probably a lot higher than you are in rankings, they just have nothing to lose. But she played great.
Q. Caroline said she put a plastic water bottle down on the court and she thought that it started melting a bit. Is it that hot out there?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. It's pretty hot. I don't know, when I went out on the court I was just curious what was the temperature. Because even though it was windy, the wind was like hot wind. Like I said, Just don't blow it, because it's like even hotter. Just stop.
But you normally expect a little bit of, I don't know, some freshness, I don't know what, but it just didn't come. From anywhere (smiling).
Q. The soles of your shoes weren't burning, were they?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It felt pretty hot, like you're dancing in a frying pan or something like that.
Q. You were in the final in Brisbane, and then you had a week off. Now you're here. What do you do in the first early rounds? What do you try work on? Just try and build up to that second week...
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, the first thing, you try to win every match. Whatever it takes to do that. Sometimes it can be tricky, you know, to find your to just find your range, as it was today a little bit. But just try to keep the things that's been working before, you know, what I was working on in Brisbane and my off season and just try to reproduce it more and more and be disciplined with that.
Q. The health authorities here advise people to stay indoors whenever possible in these sort of conditions, drink lots of water, try and be in air conditioning.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'll take that advice. Easily. (Smiling). I don't think anybody wants to go outdoors right now.
Q. So will you practice tomorrow, or will you try and stay inside, given that it's going to be this hot again tomorrow?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Oh, no, no, I will definitely go and practice. You've got to prepare yourself.
Maybe I won't hit for two hours, but definitely going to go out and, you know, get some more suntan.
Q. Your boyfriend come to Melbourne again to support you?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah. I don't think you can miss him (Laughter.) It's tough, because they have been showing him on TV more than probably they were showing somebody else, you know.
He's very, very visible, so...
Q. Does he like the heat?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Actually, I can't find him in the players' area, and I'm, like, surprised. How can I miss him? It's tough.
Q. Does he like the heat?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I haven't asked him yet, but I'm sure he wouldn't enjoy playing so much in it.
Q. Is Red Foo still planning to get the wildcard for the US Open if he can manage it?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think he's hoping for it. I don't know if he's going to get it. But, no, he actually plays tennis better now than when he was trying to qualify. He's been working hard on his game.
But he's so into his projects right now that I think he's more focused on that.
Q. Is he asking some advice from you for his forehand, which is the weakest point of his...
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Actually, his backhand is way worse. So his forehand is much better. Backhand I think Mats Wilander was giving him some tips; Novak was giving him some tips; everyone is giving him tips.
He comes up with a different shot every time, you know. It's a helicopter swing. Then it's out of space. I don't know. Whatever. He's just ridiculous.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Q. Sort of an odd up and down match. Talk about it overall.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't think there was a lot of up and down. There was just a moment when I think, you know, I just felt I dropped my intensity a little bit and was watching her a little bit too much.
She obviously played amazing defense today, getting a lot of balls. So I think that what was happen in the second set. But I'm glad I could just turn it around in the end and really get back into it and play the way I was playing in the first set.
Q. It's not often that you face players that come into net that much. Talk about that.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, she's a very tricky player and obviously can do a lot of things. I felt like she was really brave to do anything. Come with a second serve to the net.
Yeah, she went for her shots. Sometimes it was surprising, but then I realized that I just have to be alert on every point because you don't really know what's going to come.
So I had to adapt and try to refocus my game, trying to control and move her around myself.
Q. How were the conditions inside?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I can't complain about playing under the roof in the night session. It was a little bit humid. I mean, sweat a lot still. But, yeah, I can't complain. I was feeling pretty good out there. I'm sure a lot of players were suffering a little bit more.
Q. Did you get to practice in the morning outside?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I warmed up in the morning at 10:00 outside. It was pretty hot.
Q. What was the day like for you? There was heat, thunder, lightning, all that.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: For me, everything was fine. I played under the closed roof so lightning couldn't hit me. I didn't feel the heat. I didn't get sunburned. I was in the perfect conditions today.
Q. Did you watch any of the other matches?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: A little bit. Just a little bit. I saw a little bit match of Tsonga and that's it. And Rafa a little bit.
Q. How do you feel you're playing overall? Sometimes it takes you a little while to get into Grand Slam tournaments.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I felt I played pretty good. I had two very different opponents I played. I'm glad that in important moments I'm finding my rhythm and I'm able to raise the level.
I think you can always improve there and there, just try to lift your game up. But it's just important trying to find that little bit to get better with every single match you play.
Q. Have you changed what you want to do with your serve now? I know you go for placement more than power. Were you consistently hitting it harder the first part of the year? Have there been changes at all?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I never really look at the speed. For me it's important what I can create with that. I've been working a lot on my serve.
I think it takes time, you know, to get that. I think it's one of the toughest shots technically to manage. You know, adjusting my body with a different type of fitness, it takes time to have that perfect timing.
But I feel I'm in the right way of working with the things and get better.
Q. So is the intention service winners, aces on the first serve, or just a good serve so you can get a first ball that you can control the point with?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It's both. Eventually it's to get a lot more free points. But right now I just want that consistency that I can place anywhere I want.
Q. Why the change with the fitness?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Because I think it has a lot to do with the timing, with your body, with your balance in the body, the way you push, the range of motions.
So all this I adjust. It really takes time.
Q. In your mind, what would be a successful 2014, aside from improving your skills?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Successful? I don't know. I never think about the whole year forward. You just set yourself goals. But always wherever I want to go I want to win.
The most important for me is try to stay as healthy as possible, and that will be a successful year for me, just to make sure I can play every tournament I go and finish that.
Q. Did you help design Red Foo's shirts and his group? Do you get approval over those at all?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, that's my logo for my foundation that they have on the back, and Team Vika is something we created the hashtag on Twitter. My fans really use that a lot.
So I wanted to do those shorts and some other ones, the designs they will make in the next couple days. I just want to share it with my fans. They're my biggest fans, so they were wearing those.
Q. Victoria, what is the story of your name?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Actually my grandmother named me that. I had have to thank her because my parents wanted to call my Daria, and I don't think that suits me at all. They actually put that on my birth certificate. My grandmother was like, No, no, no, you can't name her that. She has to be Victoria.
So I really like that name because it is very international, but I still feel my roots as Belorussian.
Q. Is that the same grandmother that kicked your butt?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: She never kick my butt. She's very sweet. She's like the sweetest person on the planet.
Q. So you owe a fair amount to her?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah. I don't know how to describe that love that I have for this woman. She's just so happy all the time. It's incredible.
She came to see me in L.A. for the first time. She never travels anywhere. I said, Well, if you're going to fly somewhere, why don't you make it a long trip?
She was so happy she came. I spent some time with her during my off season. It was great. She said she'll be coming a lot more.
Q. So L.A. is a long ways away. What were her impressions of all that?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: She was really happy to be there. She loved the weather. The first thing she was so impressed is by the beef they had, the steaks and stuff. She was like, Oh, my God, it's the most amazing steaks on the planet. I took her to this restaurant.
She loved being on the beach. Walking around. I think the most she just loved to spend time with me.
Q. Did you take her to Disneyland?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, actually, I didn't. I definitely want to take her somewhere, Universal or somewhere. I was so busy with training. We were just spending time playing cards and just talking.
Q. Name of the steak place in Los Angeles?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: What's the name of the restaurant? Manhattan Beach Pub.
Q. Are you feeling any pressure because Novak has won three times?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't think I feel pressure. I think the pressure there is because I don't use it as a negative. I like pressure because I think it motivates you to be better.
Of course, I know that I won here twice before, but this is completely new year for me and I always take it one at a time. I know it's a long road where I only just played the second round. I just really want to focus on one game at a time.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Q. Didn't seem like much of a workout. At this stage you're glad to get through?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It was a workout. It was just a good performance I think from me. You know, I felt like I started well and I kept that momentum throughout the match, and that's what I wanted to do today.
So I think sometimes you spend more energy trying to be in that zone, you know, to keep that focus, but I felt good.
Q. Didn't feel like she didn't test you very much?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I felt that I was doing what I wanted to do. I think the beginning had quite a few long rallies, but I took advantage of that and I raised my level.
I'm quite happy with that. And that I could maintain that throughout the match, that was important for me.
Q. Your next opponent is Sloane Stephens. Last year there was a bit of a controversy. Talk about your memories of last year.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I have great memories of last year. That's all I keep for me.
Sloane is a great player, very tough competitor. She has a great record here. I feel like she improved so much.
So, you know, I'm excited about that match. It's going to be tough. It only gets tougher from here. Every round, you know, is more challenging.
Q. You haven't played each other since. Have you spoken with Sloane about it at all? Has a chat about that match?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: We left it all last year here, and that's what is important for me, you know, is to play another match. I'm looking forward to that match.
As I said, she's a great player, and I like to play against great players. It's a great challenge for me to have. A tough fourth round, but that's what you get, you know, going further, second week in a Grand Slam.
Q. Do you know how much tougher it might be compared to last year?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I don't really think about what happened in last year. I know it's going to be a tough match because I feel we both improved.
So, you know, I'm just looking forward to take that challenge. It's going to be interesting for me.
Q. Have you seen any of her matches at all?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I've seen a few. As I said, I think she improved a lot. She proved that she can handle big stages. She can play against, you know, top players. So, you know, it's always going to be tough when a player like that knows how to handle themselves.
So for me, as I said, it's going to be a great challenge. I'm looking forward to playing against her. I think she's a great player. Looking forward to it.
Q. What do you think you learned from that semifinal match last year?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Nothing. I don't know there's anything to learn. As a match itself, it was good. I think actually it was my first time playing against Sloane. I don't think you can take so much out of it because, you know, the year pass by.
But some things I remember about playing her, so I will try to look at it again and, you know, go from there.
Q. Learn anything from the aftermath of that match?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No. What is there to learn? I mean, it was just a great experience for me to be playing in the final and winning the title. That what I learned, I guess, yeah. Just learn how to win the second Grand Slam.
Q. Australian public hasn't quite got your nickname. A lot of, Go Vicki out there tonight.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I have to confess because Vicki is not my name. Actually, nobody ever calls me that. It's Vika or Victoria. I don't know why it sticks to Vicki. It's completely different name.
I think fans are great here. It's so amazing how loyal they are, especially to Aussies. Just to watch, it's an amazing atmosphere. It's just so great. So I love playing out here. I can't wait for my next match.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Q. You must have obviously have been happy with the win.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, I'm happy with the way I played. I think we were very competitive today. I know that Sloane is a great player, a very tough fighter. She was holding her serve really well. I felt like I had few chances, but she managed to come back strong.
So was important just to stay in that zone and try to create another opportunity. And, yeah, I felt that I been able to do that.
Q. Did the win feel as comfortable as the scoreline suggested it was?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: You know, I never look at it what was the score. I know how I felt out there. I felt like it was competitive. I just felt that I managed to pick it up on the important moments and really control the game.
Even though sometimes, you know, I missed few shots, I felt like I was doing the right thing. I just wanted to apply that and keep working on that.
Q. You both played last year under the same sort of pressure on center court. Have you noticed much of a difference in her game?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think she improved a lot. I mean, obviously with a year I think she got much more experience. I wasn't really focused on what she was doing. I was just trying to focus on what I can execute and what I can do well.
But, you know, as I said before many times, I think she's a great player. She has a good future in front of her. She's always a tough competitor.
Q. With the No. 1 and 3 seeds out, does that change your mindset at all?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, never. It doesn't matter. We still have high competition out there. The players who beat those players deserve all the credit because they've been better, so they are dangerous and they are competitive.
For me it's important to just, you know, keep focusing on my game and play it one at a time. Quarterfinals of a Grand Slam is never easy, no matter who you play.
Q. She drove a ball back at you. Did you feel she had a choice there? Was that the right shot to play, hitting the ball straight at you, hitting you in the hip?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: If I had a problem with it? No. Why would I have a problem with it?
Q. Looked like she was trying to apologize to you.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: She did. That's tennis. I'm just focused on the next point. Maybe she had an open court, but she chose that shot. I have no problem with that. I'm just focused on the next one.
Q. What is the secret of starting a season well, starting the year well?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Motivation. I think the motivation is there. You're hungry to play. I think it's a little bit tougher mentally in the end of the season, especially that last run after the four Grand Slams are done.
And I think the preparation helps, as well. You have a good block of training. Sometimes it doesn't work right away, but I think in the longer run, and mentally, you can rely on that.
Q. How burnt were you at the end of last year?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I was tired. I was unmotivated really because I didn't manage my schedule that well, especially after the US Open. I didn't realize how much it took out of me.
I went to play some tournaments maybe I shouldn't have, but I wanted to. I wanted to play. So I actually take that as a very positive thing, that I learned how to be in that situation and how to come out of it.
But, you know, this year, next year, I'll try to manage that a little bit better. But as long as I want to be on the court, you know, I'm feeling pretty good with my game.
Q. How much time did you take off and how much time in the off season were you working for the new season?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I took off about five days maybe. I can't sit still. Like I can't sit still. I need to keep moving. I don't play tennis much during my off season actually. I didn't play for a month and a half.
But I kept active. I tried to work on my fitness. I done a lot of other things. I paddle board. I danced. I did ballet. As long as I'm active, it's good for me.
Actually, after Istanbul I wasn't really happy with how I finished the year. Took me three days to get over it and I was back at it again, so...
Q. To be successful in a slam over two weeks, you have to be physically fit. Nothing niggling at the moment that's going to hamper you in the next five or six days?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't think about five or six days from now. I think about tomorrow. Tomorrow I have a day off. I'm going to take full advantage of that to recover and to prepare myself for the next match.
I think that's the best approach to go.
Q. What you said on the court with Rennae Stubbs, can we say you are seriously considering having a marriage right now?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Why would you take something from that? She grabbed my hand and she saw that there is nothing on my hand, so...
There's an answer. There's nothing still (showing hand). Once you see a big, big bling big, big bling maybe.
Q. You said it's larger than Caro's.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: It better be. Better be (smiling).
Q. Can we say after Serena and Maria are gone, you and Li Na are the overwhelming favorites in the bottom and top half of the draw?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, by the rankings, probably yes. By the game, I don't consider the self just a favorite because I don't consider anybody as the favorite. I just go out there and play my best, because anybody on any given day we've seen that happen last couple days can bring their best game.
You have to stay alert. It doesn't matter the level that you're No. 2 or whatever. Everybody has proven that anybody can beat anybody.
The way I approach the matches, I have to be ready 100% for every player.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Q. It looks like the way Agnieszka played today makes you so angry.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: What? No, she played well. She didn't make me angry. I don't think I played my best tennis, but it didn't make me angry.
Q. When you won the second set, what was going through your mind at the start of the third?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Well, the first set and the third set, I think there was just too many mistakes and too many easy mistakes on important moments. Like from the dropshot to the dropshot, or just I had the full court. Of course, she was passing amazing today and getting to every ball.
But I just didn't have the focus on finishing the point so accurate. That definitely changed the momentum. She really took advantage of that. It was hard to come back.
But, I don't know, my game wasn't there today as I wanted it to. But she definitely played really well.
Q. Something particular she did better than she normally does?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: She was aggressive. She was making everything. She was guessing right. I was just playing a little bit too predictive, you know.
In the second set I managed to fight back. Third set, you know, the first game was important. I let it go, like easily let it go. From there just couldn't get back to it. It was tough.
Q. I think this is the fifth straight match where the higher ranked player has lost. Seems like there's a weird vibe around the tournament.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I don't know. I don't think about that. I think about today's match, what I did, what I could do better.
But other players, you know, different vibe, whatever, I don't really care about that.
Q. How long will it take you to get over a loss like this?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'll be fine tomorrow. I'll be working tomorrow. It's not the end of the world. I'm not happy with what I did today. But on the court I felt like I could have played a lot better. I could have changed something, you know, today. Could have been more sharp. There's so much to improve from today.
I can't take away what she's done today. She played amazing. She really was on top in the longer rallies and way more accurate than me.
Q. You said she played amazing. Talk a little bit more about that.
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, as I said, she was getting to every ball. She guessed, you know, so many of my shots. But I felt like at one point I was being too predictable. I was stopping with doing that thing, so...
But she definitely took advantage of that. She was solid from the baseline. She came in when she needed to. She served well in the important moments. She was just doing everything a little bit better than me. I was just watching. I was like a spectator a little bit.
Q. Your shirt, is that the attitude you want to show people after an upset like this one?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, it's just a shirt I had. I wore it before.
Q. It's random?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah.
Q. Obviously you're very disappointed. Is there a feeling of an opportunity lost, because slams only come around four times a year?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, you can look at it as a lost opportunity. There's nothing else I can do right now. I can think about how I lost today, how disappointed I am today, what it is.
What I have to think is what I have to do better next time. It's just the beginning. So I know if I wouldn't be able to do much better than today, it's better to just stop playing tennis.
But I know that I can do better and I can play better so... You know, I guess there's some positive in there.
Q. Did she figure something out in your game or were you making life easier for her this time around?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I think both. I felt from my side I was just a little bit too stubborn, doing the same thing, missing the same shots. It was a little bit, a little bit there. That's what it takes. It doesn't matter how big out or how close to the net you hit, if it's a mistake, it's a mistake.
Q. Are you planning to play Fed Cup?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: No, I never planned on that.
Q. What is your schedule from here to Indian Wells?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: I'm going to play in Doha.
Q. Just Doha?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Uh huh.
Q. You talk about your predictability as being a problem. How can you change that up in your game?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Think a little bit more on the court. Just try to figure out during play, not just kind of be in the clouds and watch the opponent play amazing. Just have to do something, something different, even if it's something that I don't like to do.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
2011 - Australian Open, Toronto (w/Kirilenko);
2009 - Roland Garros (w/Wiesnina);
2008 - Australian Open (w/Peer), Amelia Island (w/Wiesnina);
2007 - Stanford, San Diego (both w/Czakwetadze), Luksemburg (w/Peer), Moskwa (w/Poutchek); 2006 - Memphis (w/Wozniacki).
Tytuły mikstowe (3):
2012 - Igrzyska Olimpijskie (w/Mirnyi);
2008 - Roland Garros (w/B.Bryan);
2007 - US Open (w/Mirnyi).
Finały mikstowe (1):
2007 - Australian Open (w/Mirnyi).
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Wiktoria Azarenka to tenisistka od kilku lat zaliczająca się do ścisłej czołówki rozgrywek WTA. Jej domeną jest dynamiczna gra zza linii końcowej, będąca błyskotliwym połączeniem tendencji ofensywnych i defensywnych. Efektywność swojego tenisa Białorusinka opiera na znakomitej pracy nóg, szybkości, wytrzymałości i regularności. Gra przede wszystkim rotacją awansującą, rzadziej płasko. Z backhandu czasem stosuje slajsa, głównie defensywnego. Okazjonalnie zagrywa dropszoty, są one jednak dość precyzyjne i dobrane adekwatnie do kortowej sytuacji. Dwa najlepsze zagrania Azarenki to jej backhand oraz return. Jej oburęczny bh, niezwykle precyzyjny, kątowy bądź grany po linii od lat należy do najlepszych tego typu zagrań w rozgrywkach kobiecych, stanowiąc znakomite narzędzie zarówno do atakowania, jak i kontrowania. Return natomiast potrafi zagrywać niezwykle dokłądnie o głęboko nawet z najpotężniejszych serwisów swoich rywalek.
Choć gra Azarenki prowadzona jest przede wszystkim zza linii końcowej, jest ona tenisistką charakteryzującą się dobrym czuciem, zdolną do odważnych i skutecznych akcji przy siatce.
Azarenka to jedna z najbardziej znanych i medialnych postaci WTA. Jest również dość kontrowersyjna, skłonna do impulsywnych, ekscentrycznych zachowań zarówno na korcie, jak i poza nim.
WIKTORIA AZARENKA
