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Victoria Azarenka hopeful for 2018 Australian Open action

By Harry Floyd

KEY BISCAYNE, FL - APRIL 02: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus poses with the Butch Buchholz Trophy after winning the Women's Final against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia during Day 13 of the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
KEY BISCAYNE, FL - APRIL 02: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus poses with the Butch Buchholz Trophy after winning the Women's Final against Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia during Day 13 of the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Victoria Azarenka has been awarded a wild card for the upcoming 2018 Australian Open. She is a former two-time champion at the major tournament.

Victoria Azarenka could be competing at the 2018 Australian Open.

The Belarusian tennis star is a former world No. 1 and two-time champion at Melbourne Park. She has been granted a wild card entry to the 2018 Grand Slam event.

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Azarenka is the 2012 and 2013 winner in women’s singles at the Australian Open. One of the best on the WTA Tour in recent years, the Belarusian tennis star has been absent from the court for several months.

Victoria Azarenka continues the custody battle for her son Leo as she attempts a return to the WTA Tour.

The former world No. 1 last competed at Wimbledon in 2017. Reaching the round of 16, she fell to now top ranked Simona Halep. The Romanian tennis star defeated Azarenka 7-6 (3) 6-2.

Azarenka’s Wimbledon run, however, was fantastic given her 2017 WTA Tour. After giving birth to her son, the world No. 1 returned to the court for just play in Mallorca before Wimbledon. Going 4-2 in her two WTA tournaments on the year, Azarenka proved that she still has what it takes to compete with the best in women’s singles tennis. Now, there is a chance that fans and players alike will see her at Melbourne Park next month.

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Victoria Azarenka could be a surprise pick to win the 2018 Australian Open. If she is able to fulfill her wild card entry, the Belarusian has the experience necessary to make a run at the major tournament. Other players to watch include Halep, WTA Finals winner Caroline Wozniacki, and Garbine Muguruza among others.

Defending champion Serena Williams has also given birth in the last year. The American tennis superstar defeated sister Venus last year to win the Grand Slam event. Fans and players await the announcement of her 2018 WTA Tour schedule. Williams and Azarenka are both among the dominant players in recent years at Melbourne Park. The field in women’s singles tennis is packed with talent at the first 2018 Grand Slam on the year. Stay tuned to see how Azarenka and other top players in women’s singles tennis fare at the 2018 Australian Open.

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