Former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka announced on Friday that she is expecting her first child at the end of this year. This is great news for Azarenka, who has struggled with injuries for most of the 2016 season. Due to her pregnancy, Azarenka will miss the rest of the 2016 season, but promised her fans that she will come back stronger than ever.
Azarenka and her boyfriend to become parents
The world number six released a statement to her fans on social media, sharing the great news.
Dear fans,
I have some exciting news to share with you.
It’s been a few weeks since you last heard from me. While recovering from the knee injury that I sustained at Roland Garros, I received news from my doctor that my boyfriend and I are going to become parents at the end of this year. We couldn’t be happier and feel very blessed to begin this exciting journey of building a family together.
While I will miss competing in the sport that I love this season, I am excited for all that’s ahead. I will take the time to improve myself in ways I’ve never been able to do before. I have been truly inspired by so many strong female athletes who return to the very top of their sport after having children, and I plan to do exactly that. There is nothing more special than becoming a parent, and I’m blessed to have so many examples of women, in every walk of life, who have pursued careers they love while raising children.
Thank you so much to my family, friends, team, and sponsors – your support and encouragement has been incredible.
And to my fans, I’m so looking forward to sharing this journey with all of you.
Victoria
Two-time Grand Slam champ to miss remainder of 2016 tennis season
As expected, Azarenka will miss the remainder of this season, including the 2016 U.S. Open and the WTA Finals. However, as she noted, many players have come back and found success after having children, notably Kim Clijsters.
“I have been truly inspired by so many strong female athletes who return to the very top of their sport after having children, and I plan to do exactly that,” Azarenka said.
This season has been troubling for the two-time Australian Open champion, as she has struggled with injury, most recently a knee injury that forced her out of the 2016 French Open. She received this news as she was recovering, no doubt giving her hope and happiness.