"Vika" is back and is set for an intriguing clay court campaign on the road to Roland-Garros.
The tennis world has been unsure when former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka would be wielding her fierce shots again on the WTA.
Well, the Belarusian is back and is set for an intriguing clay court campaign on the road to Roland-Garros.
The two-time finalist begins in Madrid, before heading to Rome, bidding to build up her match play and no one will want to play such a ferocious competitor.
Following the birth of son Leo and becoming embroiled in a well-documented custody battle, Azarenka missed eight months of the Tour in 2017-18.
Returning at Indian Wells, the 28-year-old reached the third round and was toppled by US Open champion Sloane Stephens.
Over to Miami and Azarenka really sparked into life. The two-time Grand Slam champion seamlessly dispatched Agnieszka Radwanska, Anastasija Sevastova and Karolina Pliskova to storm into the semi-finals. A three-set thriller with Stephens halted the run, but Azarenka certainly turned heads with her instant return to the top.
The world No.99 slid back onto the clay in Madrid at a charity match at the Caja Magica on Thursday.
On a jovial evening, where Azarenka displayed her sense of humour with teammates, the 29-year-old also proved the competitive spirit is well and truly burning.
During an exhibition match with Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, Azarenka called down an umpire to reassess a line call in the opening game of the match!
Azareka won’t be taking it easy back in competition.
With the likes of Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza and Caroline Wozniacki battling with the usual pressures and expectations, Azarenka arrives in Madrid without any burden.
Yes, she will be eager to chalk up wins and make a statement to her peers, but Azarenka can swing freely and unleash her destructive power play on the field without the concerns of ranking points.
She’s on the comeback and it will take time to reach her ranking-topping peak, Azarenka will know that and can experiment on the clay ahead of her build up to Roland Garros.
It’s her first clay court tournament since the 2016 Madrid Open, so expectations have to be limited. Aleksandra Kruncic is first up and the world No.52 will provide a tricky test.
Should Azarenka navigate into the second round, we could witness another Miami-like run.
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams pulled out of the Madrid draw whilst she continues to prepare for her clay debut this campaign.
However, it is worth noting Azarenka is one of the few players on Tour who can vie with Serena at her blistering best.
Yes, the American dominates their head-to-head at 17-4, but that quartet of victories for Victoria have been clinched in finals.
Their last meeting culminated in Azarenka defeating Serena 6-4, 6-4 at the 2016 Indian Wells final, whilst their previous clay clash witnessed the American prevail from a set down at the 2015 Roland Garros.
Far from intimidated, Azarenka will look to dismantle any opponent on her comeback and that includes Serena in the coming weeks ahead of Paris.
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
