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Victoria Azarenka likely to miss US Open due to custody battle

By Harry Floyd

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 02: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in action against Alize Cornet of France during day three of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 02, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 02: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in action against Alize Cornet of France during day three of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 02, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Victoria Azarenka released a statement in which she says she will likely miss the US Open due to an ongoing custody battle with her ex-boyfriend.

Victoria Azarenka split with her boyfriend Billy McKeague after play at Wimbledon. Now, the pair remain in the middle of an ongoing custody battle over her son Leo.

The former world No. 1 announced Thursday that she is likely unable to compete at the 2017 US Open. The ongoing proceedings would potentially require Azarenka to compete in New York without her son, which she is unwilling to do.

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Azarenka has seen a successful return to the WTA Tour. After taking time away for the birth of her son, the Belarusian tennis star bounced back at Mallorca. Going 1-1 at the tournament, she proved she was ready to compete yet again.

Then came Wimbledon for the former world No. 1. Her unprecedented run, considering her lack of competitive play in 2017, was exceptional. Azarenka went 3-1 at Wimbledon before falling to Simona Halep.

Now, Victoria Azarenka could potentially miss the rest of the 2017 WTA Tour.

The Belarusian tennis star thanked fans and friends around the world on Thursday in a statement regarding the custody battle. She says that she is optimistic about resolving the ongoing issues with her ex-boyfriend, but emphasized that her son comes first and foremost. Here’s a look at her statement released via her social media accounts.

There remains an outside chance that Victoria Azarenka is able to compete in the coming days. The former world No. 1 is a two-time Australian Open champion. She also reached the finals at the US Open in both 2012 and 2013.

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As of right now, women’s singles tennis is seeing a number of rising stars competing with top veterans. Some players to watch at the US Open this year include Halep, Caroline Wozniacki, and Elina Svitolina. There is no doubt that the entire sport of tennis and its fans are wishing Victoria Azarenka the best right now. Stay tuned to see how matters unfold for the former world No. 1 in the coming days.

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