Wimbledon will be Victoria Azarenka’s second tournament back since embracing her favorite title: Motherhood.
The new mom to baby Leo and former world No. 1 believes she’s a better player now because she’s smarter.
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“I want to think that I'm only getting better as a player,” Azarenka told the media at Wimbledon. “From the outside, you know, people only judge your game and everything by your results. I will need time for that.
“But in terms of how I feel on the court, the way I think I got smarter as a player over the years, I think I'm a better player today than before. My hundred percent in terms of effort, I think it's more demanding now because I expect myself to be present every single moment I'm on the court. Otherwise, you know, I have another job to do. If I don't give hundred percent on the court, there's no point to do it.”
The two-time Australian Open champion reached back-to-back Wimbledon semifinals in 2011-2012.
Baby Leo isn't the only new member of Azarenka's team. New coach Michael Joyce, who previously coached Maria Sharapova, urged Azarenka to accelerate her comeback, which was initially scheduled to launch later this month in Stanford.
This will be Azarenka’s first SW19 appearance since 2015 when she reached the quarterfinals and won the first set against world No. 1 Serena Williams before bowing in three sets.
Azarenka opens with a tough test against talented young American CiCi Bellis; the pair practiced together last month on the grass of Mallorca.
"She's definitely not an easy opponent, especially in the first round," Azarenka said of Bellis. "I'm here unseeded with really no ranking. I didn't really know who I'm going to play. I expect every round to be tough.
"But I actually practiced with her couple of times already. I practiced with her here and in Mallorca. She's definitely a good player. At this age you have nothing to lose, just go out there with no pressure, and playing. I'm happy to play against anybody."
Carrying a stroller through customs and extra bags to accommodate son Leo aren’t the only changes in Azarenka.
Elite tennis demands selfishness for success. Azarenka says motherhood has changed her perspective on tennis bringing more balance to her life.
Spending quality time with Leo helps Azarenka disengage from tennis pressures.
“Well, the changes, it's like 180 in your mentality, your daily activities,” Azarenka said. “When I go out to practice, of course I practice there. I'm present. But after that, it's all about somebody else. It's not about me any more, which in tennis is a little bit tricky.
“Being in an individual sport, you have to be a little bit more selfish. So it's a little bit of a mind trick that I have to do to feel okay with taking some time for myself, not feel guilty that I don't spend my every free second with my son, which is sometimes tough.
"But it also gives me I feel like a really good balance when I am done with my practice or my matches, that I'm able to shut off from tennis topic, just lose myself with my son, which was actually pretty hard thing to do before.”
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve