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Victoria Azarenka eyes Auckland for 2018 WTA Tour return

By Harry Floyd

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 24: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts during the Ladies Singles first round match against Karin Knapp of Italy on day three of the 2016 French Open at Roland Garros on May 24, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 24: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts during the Ladies Singles first round match against Karin Knapp of Italy on day three of the 2016 French Open at Roland Garros on May 24, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Victoria Azarenka announces that her return to the WTA Tour will take place in Auckland. The former world No. 1 is eager to be back.

Victoria Azarenka says that she is gearing up for a return to the WTA Tour.

The former world No. 1 has been sidelined due to an ongoing custody dispute. After stepping away for maternity leave, Azarenka began a brief comeback before her most recent absence from competitive WTA Tour play.

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Now, the Belarusian is eyeing Auckland for her 2018 WTA Tour return. The ASB Classic in Auckland will feature Azarenka along with several other top players in women’s singles tennis.

Victoria Azarenka is a former world No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion.

Caroline Wozniacki is among those also slated for play in Auckland. The Danish tennis star is fresh off of a win at the 2017 WTA Finals. She defeated American tennis star Venus Williams for the biggest title of her career so far.

Azarenka will have to compete with the like of Wozniacki, Julia Goerges, Barbora Strycova, Agnieszka Radwanska, and defending champion Lauren Davis. In 2017, Davis won the ASB Classic in Auckland in straight sets, defeating Ana Konjuh 6-3, 6-1. Azarenka enters a highly competitive field of women’s singles players for the WTA Tour event.

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"“My expectations remain high as always. I personally haven’t been to Auckland for a very long time and everyone says such wonderful things about the tournament and the city. I am really excited to experience it and be back.” – Victoria Azarenka via personal statement"

Similar to Azarenka’s recent hiatus, tennis superstar Serena Williams is away from the sport after the birth of her daughter. With 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, Williams is arguably the greatest to ever play the sport. She will likely remain away from competitive WTA Tour action for much of 2018, leaving room for Azarenka and others to rise in the rankings.

Victoria Azarenka is training and preparing for her return. With Auckland right around the corner, the former world No. 1 is someone to watch in the early tournaments come 2018. Stay tuned to see how she and others fares throughout the start of the 2018 WTA Tour.

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