Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has confirmed that she will return to the tour at the Bank of West Classic in Stanford.
The former world No.1 hasn’t played a match on the tour since the 2016 French Open after taking time away to give birth to her first child, a baby boy called Leo. Azarenka, who won the Stanford title in 2010, will play in the event for the fifth time in her career.
“I am very excited to be returning to the WTA at the Bank of the West Classic,” said Azarenka. “Becoming a mother has been the most rewarding thing that has ever happened to me and really puts things in perspective. I am looking forward to beginning this new stage of my career.”
Azarenka’s Stanford record
2007 – R1
2010 – champion
2011 – R2
2014 – R2
It has been common knowledge that Azarenka intended to return to action during the American hard-court swing of the tour. Recently she enlisted the help of new coach Michael Joyce, who had previously worked with Maria Sharapova. Discussing her return to the tour, Azarenka believes that she has the ability to improve her game further.
“I have no doubt that I can improve much more. That’s why I’m taking my time to work smart and add to my game to become a better player. That’s the only reason why I want to go back and play on the tour. I don’t want to come back and just play. I want to go back and be the best again. That’s my goal.” She told The Tennis Channel.
So far in her career, the 27-year-old has won 20 titles on the WTA Tour and spent a total of 19 weeks at world No.1. Last year she achieved the ‘sunshine double’ by winning back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami.
Joining Azarenka in Stanford will be world No.11 Madison Keys. The American has previously played in the tournament twice in her career and is yet to progress beyond the second round. Her last appearance was in 2015 when she crashed out to Croatia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in three sets. Keys is bidding to become the first American to win the title since Serena Williams in 2014.
This year will be the 46th edition of the Bank of West Classic. The Premier event will get underway on July 31st.
