AFP/Melbourne
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka might be out of the Australian Open but she is not upset, happy that her comeback from injury and depression has gone so well.
The former world number one, who won the title in 2012 and 2103, was unseeded at Melbourne Park after a horror injury-plagued 2014 and fell yesterday to last year’s finalist Dominika Cibulkova in three tough sets.
But she reminded people of her credentials, counting eighth seed Caroline Wozniacki and dangerous American Sloane Stephens among her conquests on the road to the fourth round.
“I take it as progress. I think there are a lot of the positive things to take from here,” said the Belarusian after losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
“It’s a good start. There was some good quality of tennis today, even though the result is not the one that I wanted and not what I was looking for.
“But I need to be realistic a little bit and keep working hard and try to sharpen my game. I need to be more consistent and I need to be able to take my opportunities when I have them.
“But overall, I can be pretty happy. But I’m such a perfectionist that I don’t want to be satisfied.” Azarenka’s trials last year included a string of foot injuries and a broken romance with musician and reality television personality Redfoo that left her at a low point, admitting she suffered depression.
She has seemed far more relaxed this year after appearing her intense and introverted at Melbourne Park previously and admitted to having more fun.
“Definitely compared to last year it’s a big difference,” she said.
“But just overall, I think my attitude and my approach to matches, to tournaments, has changed.
“That’s more satisfying for me. I feel that I’m very honest with myself on my effort and I’m working really hard.
“I’m just trying to do my best, so there are things I can be pleased with.”
Despite the more relaxed attitude there is still fire in her belly and she is determined to get her ranking back up from its current 44 and to start getting into the business end of more tournaments this year.
“I don’t want to stop here and be, okay, this was a good match. I want to strive for much better,” she said.
“I’m just going to work hard, try to analyse this match, this tournament, and keep working. I think that the direction where I’m heading is the right way. I just need to go there step by step.”
Victoria Azarenka
