Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka expressed her joy at witnessing female tennis players defy stereotypes by making comebacks to the sport post giving birth. In 2017, Serena Williams set the precedent by returning after becoming a mother, and last year, Ukraine's Elina Svitolina followed suit, even securing a victory against World No.1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon.
Recently, Angelique Kerber reentered the tennis scene, paving the way for Naomi Osaka's imminent return after her absence from the game since September 2022. Azarenka highlighted her happiness in observing players who, despite the challenges of motherhood, exude comfort and confidence in making comebacks.
"I'm very excited to see players are coming back. I've said it a few years ago already. I think we broke the stereotype that you become an athlete and have family. This definitely has been broken. It's actually evolved more and more. The testament of that is how many players are feeling comfortable and confident coming back and continue being on tour," Azarenka was quoted as saying in Brisbane Press.
Azarenka, who welcomed a baby boy in 2016, emphasised the importance of providing athletes with greater security to enable them to sustain their tennis aspirations even during periods of absence from the sport.
"I believe that we still have a lot more growth to do in that space to continue to push forward being a women's leading sport, how we can make our athletes feel more secure, more comfortable at all levels, not just top level, but also lower levels where they have that stability, financial security to keep coming back. I think we have an opportunity to do that in women's sports like maybe not before. I hope we put the right resources into that," she added.
Azarenka is scheduled to participate in the Brisbane International, where she received a first-round bye. She will encounter Russia's Anna Kalinskaya in the Round of 32.
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