Azarenka excited dreams another Aussie Open title

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka is dreaming of another title in Melbourne even as launched a podcast on mentality, created during lockdown and underlining how her own changing mindset has been behind her recent resurgence

“People say ‘hashtag’ goals. Whatever you do, no matter what you want to do, I think that the outside judgment should never stop you from going after your dreams,” she tells Sky Sport

The 31-year-old from Belarus is well placed to talk about mindset, and about challenges – she is emotional on the court, and she’s passionate off it too. With well-documented issues put to one side, she has been able to flourish once again since tennis returned after suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Azarenka, who claimed both her majors in back-to-back years in Melbourne heads to this year’s tournament as a contender for the title once again following an unexpected run to the US Open final in September.

“I won’t say I’m surprised by my run or surprised by my results. It’s not that I’m not humble – I just think when people say that it’s a bit of a lie!” she laughs.

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“It wasn’t necessarily surprising for me, but I was so grateful that all of the work I’d been doing was paying off. Now, it’s like… I want to do this, do that, and let me see how I can get there. The excitement level is rising and rising.”