“Scary For Me”: Victoria Azarenka Reveals Getting Intimidated By Serena Williams
Follow Us
Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams have an intense rivalry in tennis. The two tennis superstars love to compete against each other and have played some amazing matches against one another. Even though Serena leads the head-to-head battle 18-5, Azarenka has always proved to be a tough competitor for her.
In a recent interview, Victoria Azarenka revealed what it is like to play against Serena Williams. The two players faced each other in the US Open finals in 2012 and 2013, and interestingly, it was Serena who emerged as the champion on both occasions.
“I watched Serena obviously before I was on tour,” began Azarenka. “I mean it’s hard not to get intimidated because I always say it’s a skill, what she does, what some other players do, and I learned that skill… It’s very valuable. For me, that was exciting. The bigger the challenge was, it was exciting for me.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Azarenka highlighted that she loves to take challenges. She mentioned that even though Serena used to scare her, she always wanted to face her and the toughest players on tour.
“I wanted to play the toughest players, I wanted to play on the biggest stages… It was scary for me, of course, it was scary, to go out there in front of 25,000 people and feel like I don’t want to embarrass myself but that always drove me, what motivated me to practice harder,” added the World No. 15 player.
Victoria Azarenka admits that playing against Serena Williams made her a better player
The Belarusian player also accepted that Serena made her a better player. She also disclosed how she grew up as a tennis player.
“I always looked her at somebody who I know is gonna make me suffer, but it’s gonna make me better. So the intimidation factor from how I grew up and what I’ve gone through when I was a kid, that wasn’t scary,” stated the 2-time Grand Slam winner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
‘I Was Already Salty’- Serena Williams Pokes Husband Alexis Ohanian Over His $180 Million Master-Stroke for Their Daughter Olympia
May 03, 2024 08:01 PM EDT
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek’s Nail-Biting Madrid Final Forces Chris Evert to Break Her Long-Drawn Silence With a Stirring Message
May 04, 2024 10:39 PM EDT
Coco Gauff Soars to New Heights With $5.3 Billion Worth Sponsor as She Announces Delightful Sneaker Surprise for Fans
May 04, 2024 07:30 PM EDT
Madrid Open: Aryna Sabalenka Joins Iga Swiatek in Giving a Cold Shoulder to Coco Gauff as WTA Big 3 Debate Rages On
May 03, 2024 05:11 PM EDT
Serena Williams’ Golf-Obsessed Husband Alexis Ohanian Can’t Contain His Excitement for Tiger Woods’ TGL as 8 Months Countdown Is Underway
May 04, 2024 11:01 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Azarenka clearly got over the fear Serena would make her feel. She recently ended up as the runner-up of the US Open 2020 after eliminating Serena in the semis of the Grand Slam.
Victoria Azarenka will soon begin her campaign at the Mutua Madrid Open 2021. She’ll be up against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round of the tournament, which will take place today. Will Azarenka be able to conquer Madrid this year?
Is Serena Williams Playing at Mutua Madrid Open 2021?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad