The Voice of Vika: After win in Rome, Azarenka talks doubles kerfuffle, her son Leo, and what's next
“Hopefully something that is a bad situation can turn into a good one,” she tells Tennis Channel.
WATCH: Victoria Azarenka's interview with Tennis Channel's Prakash Amritraj in Rome
Victoria Azarenka cooled off an in-form Sloane Stephens, 6-4, 6-3, to open her title bid at the Internazionali d'Italia in Rome on Thursday.
Down a break twice in the opening set, Azarenka eventually settled into the second-round contest. When all was said and done, the No. 14 seed went six for eight on her break point chances to dispatch Stephens for the second time this spring (Charleston second round).
Afterwards, the two-time Grand Slam singles champion sat down with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj to discuss her performance—and the controversy that emerged last weekend.
In Madrid, Azarenka triumphed with Beatriz Haddad Maia over Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula to clinch the women’s doubles crown. But when it came time to address the crowd this past Sunday, none of the four competitors were given the opportunity to take the microphone for a customary post-final speech.
“I wouldn’t share too much light of what happened until there are some decisions made. We found out on the court right away after the match there’s gonna be no speeches,” Azarenka told Amritraj. “Hopefully something that is a bad situation can turn into a good one.”
Following the incident, Azarenka tweeted, “Hard to explain to Leo that mommy isn’t able to say hello to him at the trophy ceremony.”
The former No. 1 took the opportunity while on set with Amritraj to give her six-year-old son a shout-out after sharing their recent FaceTime conversation.
“I said, ‘can I say Ciao Leo?’
“He said, ‘why would you say Ciao?’
“Because we’re in Italy. He said, ‘no, hello.’
Turning to the camera, Azarenka exclaimed, “so I say, Hi Leo!”
Four days after the absurd decision, Mutua Madrid Open CEO Gerard Tsobanian finally released a statement on social media Thursday morning.
“We sincerely apologize to all the players and fans who expect more of the Mutua Madrid Open tournament. Not giving our women’s doubles finalists the chance to address their fans at the end of the match was unacceptable and we have apologized directly to Victoria, Beatriz, Coco and Jessica.
“We are working internally and with the WTA to review our protocols and are committed to improving our process moving forward. We made a mistake and this will not ever happen again."
Azarenka and Haddid Maia have joined forces again this week at the Foro Italico, and will also team up at Roland Garros.
The Belarusian clarified to Amritraj that she had hoped to split the court with a partner earlier in the season, but factors such as Paula Badosa’s injury in Australia and a combined ranking with Donna Vekic at Indian Wells not being high enough played into Madrid marking her 2023 doubles debut.
“We clicked really well. We’re matching the energy, both really big fighters. It was great,” Azarenka said regarding her experience with Haddad Maia. “She killed me on the practice court. I was like, ‘OK I hope you bring the same level to our matches.’ I appreciated that I was able to have match play. Doubles has always been fun for me.”