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, renowned for her achievements in women's tennis. She reached the world No. 1 ranking and held it for 51 weeks. Azarenka has secured 21 WTA Tour-level singles titles, notably winning the Australian Open in both 2012 and 2013. She holds the distinction of being the first Belarusian to win a major singles title, solidifying her place in tennis history.

Sections (5)

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

2008: First Meeting with Li Na

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

2009: Second Australian Open Meeting with Williams

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

September 2010: US Open Collapse and Concussion

On September 1, 2010, at the US Open, Victoria Azarenka collapsed on the court during her second-round match against Gisela Dulko and was diagnosed with a concussion after hitting her head during a warm-up sprint exercise.

2010: Madrid Open Retirement

In 2010, at the Madrid Open, Victoria Azarenka retired from her first-round match against Peng Shuai due to a groin injury.

2011: Grand Slam Losses and WTA Tour Championships Victory

In 2011, Li Na defeated Victoria Azarenka at two Grand Slam matches. Azarenka won their third meeting at the WTA Tour Championships en route to reaching the final.

2011: First Loss to Bartoli

In 2011, Marion Bartoli won her first match against Victoria Azarenka in Eastbourne after Azarenka retired with an injury. Bartoli also upset Azarenka at the WTA Tour Championships.

2011: Acapulco International Event Withdrawal

In 2011, Victoria Azarenka played her first 250-point International event since 2011 in Acapulco, Mexico, withdrawing after a first-round win over Polona Hercog.

2011: WTA Finals Runner-Up

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

2012: Multiple Losses to Serena Williams

In 2012, Azarenka and Serena Williams played five times, with Williams winning each match, including the Madrid Masters final, Wimbledon semifinals, Olympics semifinals, US Open final, and the year-end championships round-robin stage.

2012: Loss to Bartoli Ends Winning Streak

In 2012, Marion Bartoli defeated Victoria Azarenka in the Miami quarterfinals, snapping Azarenka's 26-match winning streak. Azarenka later avenged the loss by winning against Bartoli in the China Open semi-finals.

2012: US Open Runner-Up

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

2013: Loss at 2013 WTA Tour Championships

In 2013, Azarenka lost to her opponent in straight sets at the WTA Tour Championships, struggling with a back injury.

2013: First Grand Slam Loss to Sharapova

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

2013: Unsuccessful Asian Swing and WTA Tour Championships Performance

In 2013, Victoria Azarenka experienced an unsuccessful Asian swing, losing to Venus Williams in Tokyo and to Andrea Petkovic in Beijing. Her 2013 season concluded with a poor performance at the WTA Tour Championships, where she won only one of her three-round robin matches.

2013: US Open Runner-Up Again

In 2013, Victoria Azarenka was again the runner-up at the US Open, losing to Serena Williams for the second consecutive year.

2014: Loss to Williams in Brisbane and US Open

In 2014, Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka in the Brisbane International final, marking Azarenka's first loss at the tournament. Williams also won against Azarenka in the US Open final, which required three sets.

2014: Depression during Injury Absence

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

2014: Injury-Plagued Season and Ranking Decline

Victoria Azarenka's 2014 season was significantly affected by a foot injury, causing her to miss five months and end her season early in September. She reached one final in Brisbane, losing to Serena Williams. She ended 2014 ranked world No. 32, her lowest since 2006.

2015: Losses to Williams Despite Match Points

In 2015, Azarenka lost to Serena Williams in the third round of the Madrid Open in three sets, despite holding match points. At the French Open, she lost after leading by a set and a break, and at Wimbledon, she lost in three sets after being one set up.

2015: Sharapova Wins in Indian Wells

In 2015, Maria Sharapova defeated Victoria Azarenka in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in straight sets.

December 2016: Birth of Son Leo and Custody Battle

In December 2016, Victoria Azarenka gave birth to a boy named Leo. Subsequently, she split from his father, leading to a custody battle.

August 2017: Withdrawal from US Open and Fed Cup Final

In August 2017, Victoria Azarenka's custody battle led to her withdrawal from the US Open and the Fed Cup final, where Belarus lost to the United States.

2017: Split and Custody Battle

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

January 2018: Early Round Win in Custody Proceedings

In January 2018, Victoria Azarenka won an early round of the U.S. custody proceedings when a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that the custody case of their U.S.-born son should take place in Belarus.

December 2018: Court Ruling on Custody Case Jurisdiction

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

2019: Serena Wins in Indian Wells

In 2019, Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka in the second round of the Indian Wells Open in two tight sets.

2020: US Open Runner-Up

In 2020, Victoria Azarenka finished as runner-up at the US Open, losing to Naomi Osaka.

2020: Monterrey Open Loss and Tournament Suspension

In 2020, Victoria Azarenka lost in the first round of the Monterrey Open to Tamara Zidanšek. She then withdrew from Indian Wells, before the WTA Tour was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Grampians Trophy Participation and Withdrawal

In 2021, Victoria Azarenka played at the Grampians Trophy, defeating Yulia Putintseva, but withdrew before her quarterfinal match due to a lower back injury.