Azarenka regains strength from Grand Slam

Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka had to fight for 2 hours and 40 minutes to stop Zhu Lin in the fourth round of the Australian Open. The Belarusian reached her first quarterfinal in Melbourne in seven years.

“I feel quite good physically, let’s touch wood. I have worked very hard in the preseason. I always do, but I felt like I pushed myself beyond the limit I normally go to. Honestly, I was very afraid of failing physically, of not being able to finish certain things. My ego hurts a lot if I can’t complete something. This season I worked on giving 100% and being okay with that if it’s not enough, work from there. I think that helps me physically, having that preseason experience. That also gives me confidence whatever the score, if I have to play three hours, I’ll do it.”

It was 2:00 am and Azarenka did not hesitate to dedicate words of optimism to her opponent.

“She never gave up, no matter the result. With this tennis, she has to be in the top 20, because she played amazing. I’ve never heard of her before, I know she comes from China, but there are a lot of players who can come here and produce an incredible level. Sometimes it helps when you know your opponent, but I didn’t know much about her and had to adapt as I went along. She’s an incredible player, I wish her luck for the rest of the year and I hope we see a lot more of her.”

Azarenka is back in the bottom eight for the first time since 2016. She lost at the quarterfinal stage in 2010 to Serena Williams, 2014 to Agnieszka Radwanska and 2016 to Angelique Kerber, but then went on to win in 2012 and 2013.