Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka will return to the tour in the first week of 2018, according to organisers of the ASB Classic.
Azarenka hasn’t played a match since Wimbledon due to a legal battle with her former partner, Billy McKeague, over the custody of their child. The Belarusian welcomed the birth to her first child in December before splitting with McKeague shortly after Wimbledon. Azarenka withdrew from the US Open after she wasn’t able to travel to New York with her son, Leo, due to the legal case. Under court orders, Leo must remain in California until the dispute is resolved. She also pulled out of the Fed Cup final due to similar reasons.
“It is heartbreaking for me to not have a chance to play and help Belarus in the final, but unfortunately, my current custody situation is keeping me in California,” Azarenka recently commented on her Fed Cup withdrawal.
It is unclear has to how near the former world No.1 is to resolving the legal case, however, she is set to play at the ASB Classic in New Zealand. Azarenka has only played in the tournament once before in 2006. Losing in the second round.
The 28-year-old will require a wildcard to play in the tournament due to her current ranking of 206th in the world. Something she is likely to receive according to media sources TVNZ and The Herald. Since returning to the tour after giving birth, Azarenka has only played six matches in two tournaments this season. At Wimbledon she reached the fourth round before going out in straight sets to Simona Halep. During her career, Azarenka has won 20 WTA titles and spent 19 weeks as world No.1.
A formal announcement of Azarenka’s presence in Auckland will be made on Wednesday at a special function. Other players confirmed for the event include WTA Finals winner Caroline Wozniacki and former Auckland champion Agnieszka Radwanska. Lauren Davis, who won this year’s tournament, is also set to participate.
The ASB Classic, which also features a men’s tournament the week after, will take place between January 1st-8th. It will be the 33rd edition of the women’s tournament.
