Victoria Azarenka has explained her decision to wear a Paris Saint-Germain jersey at the Australian Open.
The 33-year-old reached the semi-final stage at Melbourne Park for the first time in a decade on Tuesday and did so with a vintage performance. The veteran defeated in-form Jessica Pegula in straight sets to set up a meeting with the dangerous Elena Rybakina for a spot in the final.
The former world number one donned the jersey of the Ligue 1 giants both before and after the match. The two-time Australian Open winner has worn the kit throughout the tournament so far and last week explained the fashion choice was down to her seven-year-old son Leo, while also mentioning the influence of a footballing icon.
“He [Leo] saw me wearing the shirt; he will wear the shirt so we're matching,” she told the WTA's website. “I have been supporting them [PSG] since 2012, since [David] Beckham was signed to the club. I have been a fan for a long time and been to many, many games.”
Azarenka revealed her son is a football fanatic and he harbours ambitions of becoming a professional footballer, following his mother into the world of sport. “He wants to play at Paris Saint-Germain. That's his dream,” the Belarusian continued.
“I'm a soccer mum now and I love that. I love supporting. I'm obnoxious, like absolutely the most obnoxious. I yell, but I'm very positive. I'm actually very proud because it's a completely different emotion for me to support my son. I have no shame screaming for him, like zero.”
After overturning a one-set deficit to defeat China’s Zhu Lin in round four, Azarenka produced a stunning display to defeat one of the game’s most dangerous players in Pegula. The American hadn’t dropped a set en-route to the last eight, but the tennis star had no answer to Azarenka’s brilliance and struggled to match the power on the Belarusian’s groundstrokes, making 31 unforced errors in the match.
Azarenka's variety — highlighted by her frequent visits to the net — also troubled Pegula, whose serve was broken five times. After securing a vital victory, the 24th seed is thrilled to be back at the business end of one of tennis’ biggest events. “It hurts to beat her because I always want her to do well,” said Azarenka of practice partner Pegula, who she is also friends with. “But at the same time I knew I had to play my best tennis.
“I knew from the first point I had to bring it. We had so many rallies and I just wanted to stay there, take opportunities because she was going to take everything if I didn’t. I’m very proud I executed my game plan very well. It’s amazing to be in the semi-finals of another Grand Slam.”
Azarenka lost her only previous meeting with Rybakina at Indian Wells last year and the Kazakhstan star kept her hopes of a second Grand Slam title alive by cruising past Jelena Ostpenko 6-2 6-4. Following her win, Rybakina explained how her experience of winning last year's Wimbledon has helped her progress Down Under.
"I think of course I got all the experience at Wimbledon, and it's helping me now this time here in Australia and I know what to expect," Rybakina told the press. "Feeling good on the court and just really enjoying every match I'm playing here."
