Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from next month’s ASB Classic.
Azarenka, a former World No. 1 was hoping to make a return to the WTA tour in New Zealand after being forced to end her 2017 season in July, because of the custody battle she is fighting with the father of her son Leo.
Both her former partner, Billy McKeague and Azarenka are not allowed to leave California, which ultimately forced the Bulgarian to skip the tournament in Auckland.
Azarenka had hoped to sort out the matter before the start of the event, however, it didn’t happen and hence she had no choice but to pull out of the Classic.
“There is obviously a fair bit going on, that’s been well documented and unfortunately, the result of that is that Victoria won’t be here next week,” tournament director Karl Budge said.
“So that’s a tough one for her, she’s been training hard and is a professional tennis player, that wants to be playing tennis and it’s hard on us, because we were excited about having someone of her calibre playing.”
It obviously is a huge blow to the tournament, but at the same time Azarenka told Budge that she will definitely be there in Auckland in 2019.
“It’s looking very good for 2019,” Budge said.
“So we’ve spoken today and it was made very clear that she’ll be coming back in 2019 and to try to get something sorted now.
“So there is a slight silver lining, but it’s not the Christmas present I was looking for.”
“At this stage we’re trying to find someone who hasn’t entered a tournament and can travel,” Budge said.
“So that is an added layer of complication, but there are a few girls out there at the moment that we’re having conversations with.
“We’ll hopefully make some noise about that in the next day or two.”
