World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka has come a long way since first picking up a tennis racket in her native Belarus.
Humble beginnings —
World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka has come a long way since first picking up a tennis racket in her native Belarus.
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However, she still considers the Eastern European nation to be her home. Azarenka is pictured with former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki (right) at a children's cancer center in Minsk in 2010.
Charitable cause —
However, she still considers the Eastern European nation to be her home. Azarenka is pictured with former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki (right) at a children's cancer center in Minsk in 2010.
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Azarenka (far left) first became involved in the sport when her mother started working in a tennis center in her native Belarus. Her first coach was Valentina Rzhanih (also pictured).
First taste of tennis —
Azarenka (far left) first became involved in the sport when her mother started working in a tennis center in her native Belarus. Her first coach was Valentina Rzhanih (also pictured).
Azarenka eventually had to leave Minsk to fulfil her ambitions, moving first to Marbella in Spain for a brief spell before settling in Arizona.
Young gun —
Azarenka eventually had to leave Minsk to fulfil her ambitions, moving first to Marbella in Spain for a brief spell before settling in Arizona.
Azarenka was a Wimbledon champion at the age of 14, winning the girls' doubles title in 2004 with compatriot Volha Havartsova.
Wimbledon winner —
Azarenka was a Wimbledon champion at the age of 14, winning the girls' doubles title in 2004 with compatriot Volha Havartsova.
Azarenka won the junior titles at the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2005, finishing the season as junior world number one. She burst onto the senior scene the year after.
Winning ways —
Azarenka won the junior titles at the Australian Open and U.S. Open in 2005, finishing the season as junior world number one. She burst onto the senior scene the year after.
Less than a year after she briefly considered quitting, Azarenka became the first player from Belarus to win a grand slam singles title when she beat Maria Sharapova in the 2012 Australian Open final.
Grand slam champion —
Less than a year after she briefly considered quitting, Azarenka became the first player from Belarus to win a grand slam singles title when she beat Maria Sharapova in the 2012 Australian Open final.
Azarenka cemented her number one status by winning 14 straight matches after the Australian Open, collecting two more trophies.
Number one —
Azarenka cemented her number one status by winning 14 straight matches after the Australian Open, collecting two more trophies.
Azarenka is still seeking to improve, and has added two-time grand slam champion and former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo to her coaching team.
Tips from the top —
Azarenka is still seeking to improve, and has added two-time grand slam champion and former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo to her coaching team.
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