Rising Azarenka Makes Waves on Tennis Court
by Andrew Pentis, The Arizona Republic
After sneaking in a morning workout, Victoria Azarenka sits in front of the mirror, her third wardrobe change complete and a second layer of makeup applied. Then as she poses for the photographer, a fan blows her blonde hair past her broad shoulders. Noticeably giddy, she skips behind the camera to see the captured images.
“When they’re young, they love doing photo shoots,” whispers Azarenka’s agent, John Tobias, as he thumbs away at his BlackBerry.
The 19-year-old Azarenka – a Belarusian tennis transplant living in Paradise Valley – has other reasons to be giddy. She won her first two singles titles in the last two months. She will be back on the court this week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif.
“Out of all the clients we represent, including Andy Roddick, including Justine Henin . . . I believe that Victoria Azarenka has the most upside,” Tobias, 31, says. “Now it’s one thing to have potential, and it’s another to see it through.”
Azarenka was born in Minsk, Belarus, which splits Poland and Russia on the world map and broke from the Soviet Union in 1991. While her mom worked at a local tennis center, Azarenka picked up a racket at age 7. A coach passing by asked her to join his group lesson.
“I said ‘no, no. I’m scared,’ because I always walked behind by mom,” Azarenka says.
When she was ready to walk on her own, she ran – right to the tennis court. Azarenka spent as many as 10 hours a day there and, on one particular day, hit 1,460 shots in a row. She counted.
The girl who was once afraid to leave her mother’s side moved to Spain at age 15. Then at 16, with the sponsorship of Nikolai Khabibulin and his wife, Victoria, she moved to the U.S. The Khabibulins are her connection to the Valley. She still lives with them and receives wide-ranging advice from Nikolai, a 13-year NHL goaltender from Belarus who played three seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes. The pair will chat about everything from the young men in Azarenka’s life to the food in her diet.
“I can always talk to him about anything,” she says. “He’s been through all these things.”
Azarenka, known as Vika to her friends and family, captured her first singles title Jan. 10 at the Brisbane International. About two weeks later she retired in her fourth-round Australian Open match due to illness, especially disappointing because she held a one-set advantage against now top-ranked Serena Williams.
“There are so many more great Australian Opens out there for her,” Williams told reporters post-match.
Azarenka rebounded in mid-February, winning her second singles title at the Cellular South Cup against her friend and fellow Tobias client, Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki. She’s up to No. 11 in the women’s world rankings, 12 spots ahead of Maria Sharapova. Likely two to three years from her prime, she is shy about reaching for No. 1, but asks, “If you don’t have that goal, what is the point to play?”
Azarenka already has surpassed $1.5 million in Tour earnings and has a Nike deal to boot.
“Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m 19. The years go by like two,” she says in English with a thin accent.
But she’s not growing up too fast to enjoy the journey. She has a Facebook page and her own Web site, admits to being a recovering shopaholic and loves to drive her Mercedes.
“On the court I’m a fighter. I will do anything to win,” she says. “Outside, I’m actually very, very nice.”
March 24th, 2009 at 5:04 am
Hi Victoria,
My name is Laura and I’m 8 years old and I am a huge fan of yours. Congratulations for making the top 10 and I can’t wait to see you again in Brisbane next year. Maybe I might be lucky enough to have a photo with you or get your autograph.
Love Laura
March 24th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I will be leaving saddlebrook to go back to Minnesota tomorrow. It has been so enjoyable to see you winning and playing and handling the pressure so well. i hope to be back to Saddlebrook in October and hope you are training there some time. I tis always enjoyable to watch someone that works and trains so hard and diligently.Good Luch in Key Biscane and I will watch for your results. Tom
March 26th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Well done Vika in the top 10 keep up the good work soon you will be in the top 5.
Good luck to you.
Love Alison.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Hi Vika ! I’m from the same country & city where you was born:)It’s only to wish you the Best Luck in this Sony Ericsson Open in Miami
Congrats for your play in Indian Wells! Belarus is proud of you!!!
Love Stasya
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I’m hoping you are going to be the girl who rises to knock off the Williams sisters. I think you are going to be a champion, and win several hard court majors.
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Hello Vika,
My compliments for your vicktory I saw direct live on Tv in the match with Svetlana. As you said on the Court you really are a fighter and you really done all that you can do to win. Now I knew as you are in your professional dimension I hope that it will bea time I will have the possibility to know how nice you’re out the Court! :)
Bye Victoria with my best hugs and a lot of Kisses
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
Hi Victoria.
Congratulations on your meteoric rise in the rankings recently. I think you, and your friends, Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva will be challenging the dominance of the Williams sisters very soon!
Good Luck.
Cheri
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 am
Hi Vika.
Well done on reaching miami final.hope you can put up a good fight against Serena.
If you had not been unwell in the Australian Open you would of beat her.hope you can get some revenge.Good luck.
Alison.
April 4th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Hello Vika!
Well done reaching the Miami final! I really hope you win the match! I really admire you and I always look up at your latest news! I hope you can visit my site! I will add you on Facebook too! :P
Good luck!
Love,
Marina, 13 x
April 4th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I have just watched you final against Serena, congratulations and I loved your tennis dress could you please tell me how I can get one.
Many Thanks
Therese
April 4th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Hi Vika, i have just seen your beautiful match with Serena Williams.Congratulations for your first great victory in Miami.
I have been impression of the great power of the your shot !!!
Vika, i am loving of your beautiful tennis, from now i will be a your new big fan..
..besides you are as well a beautiful girl !!!
Stefano Restivo, Italy.
(sorry for my awful english!!)
April 5th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Hi Vika.
Well what can i say well done on winning the miami title you so deserved it.Some sweet revenge what comes around goes around and it was Serena this time that was injured.I don’t wish that on any player but so pleased that you beat her.
Keep up the good work top 5 soon you have a bright future.All the very best Vika for rest of the seasen hope you do well on clay courts.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
WOW! What A match! If you keep up this level of play I believe you will be in the top 5 by the end of the year. YOU GOT GAME!!
May 14th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Hi Vika.
So sorry to see you injured today do so hope you will be ok for the french open.
You have been playing some great tennis on the clay and hope it continues.
Good luck and get well soon.
Love Alison.
May 25th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Hi Vika.
Nice to see you win yesterday hope your knee not to painful.
Good luck in your next round you have Nadia and Maria in your draw both tough players but i know you will work hard for the win.
All the very best to you.
Alison.
May 31st, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hi Vika.
I saw many of your matches at the U.s. open and I sat next to your mom. You are an amazing talent. I know you can beat Dinera even though she is very intimidating. Good Luck!
-Ethan