Former number one in the world, Victoria Azarenka has been equipped by tournament director Tommy Haas with a wildcard for the BNP Parisbas Open in Indian Wells.
While the tournament organisers in Doha are still hoping that Azarenka will see her wildcard, nothing stands in the way of the 28-year-old Belarussian girl’s comeback in Indian Wells.
Azarenka had to give up her participation in the Australian Open due to the ongoing custody dispute over her son Leo because she is only allowed to leave the state of California with the consent of Billy McKeague, Leo’s father, or in his presence. Since Indian Wells is located in the Californian desert, this scenario can be ruled out in March.
Correspondingly, the two-time tournament winner commented in a video message via Twitter:”I’ve always loved playing in Indian Wells and I can’t wait to return here to play my third title.”
With the new coach at her side, Vyacheslav “Slava” Konikov, Azarenka wants to build on past successes as quickly as possible and climb up the world rankings. At the moment, the two-time Australian Open winner is in position 208.