[ad_1]
A rejuvenated Victoria Azarenka says she goes to maintain pushing for Grand Slam titles after ending runner-up on the US Open, fueled by a extra relaxed outlook on life. The two-time Slam winner misplaced to Japan’s Naomi Osaka in three units at Flushing Meadows on Saturday in her first look within the closing of a tennis main in seven years. Many commentators thought the previous world quantity, now 31, was executed at Grand Slams after her profession was first disrupted by damage after which by a custody battle of her son, who was born in December 2016.
But the unseeded Belarusian loved a fairytale run to the ultimate on the US National Tennis Center, which included a three units defeat of former foe Serena Williams within the semi-finals.
“I had a great two weeks. I enjoyed myself. I did everything I could today,” stated Azarenka, winner of the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013.
“I’m not necessarily disappointed. It’s just painful to lose. That is what it is. I was close. But it didn’t go my way,” she added.
Azarenka raced to 1-Zero lead after thumping Osaka 6-1 in simply 26 minutes.
A mix of spectacular serving and formidable returns was paying homage to the shape that delivered two Grand Slam titles at her peak.
‘Proud’
It was Azarenka’s first look in a Grand Slam championship match since she misplaced to Serena Williams within the 2013 US Open closing.
She additionally suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Williams in 2012 at Flushing Meadows, when she served for the match at 5-Three within the third set solely to lose 7-5.
Azarenka says she is benefitting from a brand new outlook on life, in distinction to her youthful years when profitable tennis matches was all that mattered.
“I feel that I enjoyed more the way I am on the court,” stated Azarenka, evaluating Saturday’s match along with her earlier Slam closing appearances.
“Not necessarily focused on the result, but focusing on your progress, being in the moment, embracing the tough moments, tough challenges,” she stated.
Azarenka, who was seen meditating throughout breaks on the US Open, says she is much less intense than she was once, blaming her earlier way of thinking on “tunnel vision.”
“When you’re young, you got some not great people around you, they just put in, like, this tunnel vision. Don’t look right, don’t look left,” Azarenka defined.
“You’re kind of missing the point of living. You’re becoming this focused machine as a tennis player.
“So I’m capable of be extra fulfilled exterior of the tennis court docket, on the tennis court docket. I believe that is an actual success.
“I will take that any day over just the tennis results. I think that’s much bigger achievement for me on a personal level,” she added.
Azarenka added that she hoped higher schooling and steering might assist rising stars higher navigate new-found fame.
She stated was “proud” with how she had examined herself mentally and bodily in New York and would maintain chasing her third Slam title, beginning with the French Open later this month.
“I thought third time is a charm, but I got to try again. That’s what I’m going to do,” she stated, smiling.
Azarenka will now take the momentum she has generated over the previous few weeks into the rescheduled European clay court docket swing.
Promoted
She has a wildcard to play in Rome, the place she performs Venus Williams in her opening sport, earlier than the French Open.
“I’m looking forward to play on clay,” she stated. “It’s going to be a quick turnaround, but it’s going to be fun.”
Topics talked about on this article
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink