Challenges in the Life of Victoria Azarenka in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Victoria Azarenka faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Victoria Azarenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player who achieved the world No. 1 ranking. She held the top position for 51 weeks and has won 21 WTA Tour-level singles titles. Her most significant achievements include winning the Australian Open in both 2012 and 2013, making her the first Belarusian player to secure a major singles title.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2004: Anastasia Myskina win

In 2006, Victoria Azarenka pushed 2004 French Open champion Anastasia Myskina to a third set in Rome.

2004: Svetlana Kuznetsova beats Azarenka

In 2007, at the US Open, after Victoria Azarenka upset Martina Hingis, Svetlana Kuznetsova beat her in the fourth round.

2005: 2005 Junior Wimbledon win

In 2006, Victoria Azarenka lost in the first round of Wimbledon to 2005 Junior Wimbledon champion Agnieszka Radwańska.

2006: Lowest Ranking Finish Since 2006

In 2014, Azarenka ended the year ranked world No. 32, her lowest finish since 2006, due to an injury-ridden season.

2007: Grand Slam Matches Tally

In 2010, Victoria Azarenka won only seven Grand Slam matches for the entire year, matching her 2007 tally.

2008: Loss at Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts

In 2008, Azarenka lost to Li Na in the final of the Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts tournament.

2009: Second match against Serena Williams at the Australian Open

In 2009, Azarenka and Williams met again at the Australian Open, with Williams winning after Azarenka retired due to illness.

2009: Wimbledon Quarterfinal Points

In 2010, Victoria Azarenka lost to Petra Kvitová in the third round of Wimbledon, dropping her to world No. 18 as she was defending quarterfinal points from 2009.

September 2010: Collapse at US Open

On September 1, 2010, Victoria Azarenka collapsed on the court during her second-round match at the US Open, and was diagnosed with a concussion.

2010: Madrid Open Retirement and French Open Loss

In 2010, Victoria Azarenka retired from her first-round match at the Madrid Open due to injury and was defeated in the first round of the French Open.

2011: Matches against Li Na

In 2011, Azarenka and Li Na played three times, with Li winning twice at the Majors. Azarenka won at the WTA Tour Championships.

2011: First loss against Bartoli

In 2011, Bartoli secured her first win over Azarenka in Eastbourne, with Azarenka retiring due to injury.

2011: Australian Open and Fed Cup

In 2011, Victoria Azarenka lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open to Li Na. She and Maria Kirilenko also lost in the doubles final. She then competed in Fed Cup, where Belarus qualified for the World Group II play-Offs.

2011: US Open and China Open

In 2011, Victoria Azarenka reached the third round of the US Open, losing to Serena Williams. She reached a new career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world. She also qualified for the year-end championships in Istanbul. She then withdrew from the China Open due to a right foot strain.

2011: WTA Finals Runner-Up

In 2011, Victoria Azarenka was the runner-up at the WTA Finals, losing to Petra Kvitová.

2012: Matches against Bartoli

In 2012, Azarenka and Bartoli played three times, with Azarenka winning two of the matches. Bartoli's victory in the Miami quarterfinals snapped Azarenka's 26-match winning streak to start the season.

2012: Five matches against Serena Williams

In 2012, Azarenka and Serena Williams played five times, with Serena Williams winning each match.

2012: US Open Finalist

In 2012, Victoria Azarenka finished as runner-up to Serena Williams at the US Open.

2012: Doha Title and Injury

In 2012, Victoria Azarenka won her third title of the year in Doha, defeating Sam Stosur in the final. She then withdrew from the Dubai Championships due to an ankle injury.

2013: Unsuccessful Asian Swing and WTA Tour Championships in 2013

In 2013, Azarenka experienced an unsuccessful Asian swing, losing early in Tokyo and Beijing. Her season concluded with a poor showing at the 2013 WTA Tour Championships, failing to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2010.

2013: Loss at WTA Tour Championships

In 2013, Azarenka lost against Li Na at the WTA Tour Championships, playing through a back injury.

2013: Loss at French Open

In 2013, Sharapova won against Azarenka in the semifinals of the French Open, marking the first time Sharapova had beaten Azarenka at a Grand Slam.

2013: US Open Finalist Again

In 2013, Victoria Azarenka was again runner-up to Serena Williams at the US Open.

2014: Injury-ridden 2014 Season

Azarenka's 2014 season was severely impacted by a foot injury, causing her to miss five months and end her season early in September. She only reached one final in Brisbane, losing to Serena Williams, and finished the year ranked world No. 32, her lowest since 2006.

2014: Loss against Williams at Brisbane International

In 2014, Azarenka lost to Williams in the championship match of the Brisbane International, marking Azarenka's first defeat at the tournament.

2014: Depression Experience

In 2014, Victoria Azarenka spoke about her experience of depression during her injury-induced absence from professional tennis.

2015: Matches against Serena Williams

In 2015, Azarenka played against Serena Williams in the Madrid Open, French Open, and Wimbledon Championships, losing all three matches.

2015: Loss at BNP Paribas Open

In 2015, Sharapova won against Azarenka in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.

December 2016: Birth of Son Leo and Custody Battle in December 2016

In December 2016, Azarenka gave birth to a boy named Leo; she subsequently split from his father and a custody battle ensued.

August 2017: Withdrawal from US Open Due to Custody Battle in August 2017

In August 2017, Azarenka withdrew from the US Open due to her ongoing custody battle for her son.

2017: Custody Battle and Withdrawal

Immediately after the 2017 Wimbledon tournament, Victoria Azarenka and Billy McKeague split and became involved in a custody battle for their son, leading to Azarenka's withdrawal from the remaining 2017 tournaments.

December 2018: Jurisdiction Ruling Overturned

In December 2018, the California Courts of Appeal ruled that the LA County Superior Court had jurisdiction over the custody case, overturning the initial Belarus-jurisdiction decision.

2020: Monterrey Open and WTA Tour Suspension in 2020

In 2020, Azarenka played at the Monterrey Open, losing in the first round. She then withdrew from Indian Wells before the WTA Tour was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.