Victoria Azarenka Returns to Stuttgart after 7 Years

Victoria Azarenka is all set to appear in the Porsche Arena for the first time since 2012. The former world no. 1 took a break from tennis after the birth of her son Leo and returned to the WTA tour in 2017.

Victoria Azarenka was rewarded with a special Top 20 wildcard for the tournament. According to the rules of WTA, only those players who are either in the top-20 rankings, or are a former world number ones, or WTA Finals, or Grand Slam winners are eligible to get a wild card entry.

With the coming of Victoria Azarenka, all of the current reigning grand slam winners will contest in Stuttgart for the first time since 2012.

“We’re delighted we can once again offer our audience such a fantastic field. For me, it’s a guarantee for exciting and high-class matches,” said the tournament director Markus Günthardt.

He added, “For the spectators, it’s an exciting event, a perfect mixture of sport and show. All the players are in the Porsche Arena the whole time, there are on-court interviews and music.”

The Porsche Grand Prix announced its starry lineup for its 2019 edition. A total of 28 players will be contested for the title at Stuttgart including 8 of the top-10 players. The list contains Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova, Sloane Stephens,  Elina Svitolina,  Kiki Bertens, and Petra Kvitova along with Victoria Azarenka. The event will take place from 20 to 28 April.

The organizers of the Stuttgart Open welcomed Victoria Azarenka, tweeting: “Welcome back in Stuttgart. We are happy to see you again after seven years and the birth of your son Leo. The former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner from Belarus has a special Top 20 wildcard for the tournament. See you soon, Victoria.”

Victoria Azarenka is currently playing the Monterrey Open. The no. 5 seed in Monterrey reached the round of 16 beating Miyu Kato in straight sets. She will play Zarina Diyas tomorrow in order to secure a place in the last 8 of the tournament.