Victoria Azarenka discloses how Emma Raducanu approached her for advice on WhatsApp before winning 2021 US Open

Raducanu wanted some advice from the Belarusian, so her agent approached the two-time Australian Open champion.

Victoria Azarenka discloses how Emma Raducanu approached her for advice on WhatsApp before winning 2021 US Open

Victoria Azarenka, Emma Raducanu (Images via Sky Sports, AirWayz)

Victoria Azarenka disclosed how she had helped a teen Emma Raducanu before she became famous after her 2021 US Open win as a qualifier without dropping a set. The Brit received a wildcard at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships and could make it to the fourth round before losing to Ajla Tomljanovic.

For context, Azarenka revealed that she met Raducanu on WhatsApp. Raducanu wanted some advice from the Belarusian, so her agent approached the two-time Australian Open champion. Azarenka seemed to have forgotten about the youngster when the two talked and only remembered her when she heard her name at the 2021 Wimbledon.

YouTube video

“We talked for about an hour, and she was telling me that she was having some injury troubles and that she was looking forward to joining the tour. Then at Wimbledon in 2021, I heard the name Emma Raducanu and I looked back in my emails and it was her!” Azarenka said while speaking on the Up Front podcast with Simon Jordan.

That’s not all; Azarenka further highlighted the time when Raducanu became an overnight star by winning the US Open in 2021. The tennis professional even opened up about how she became a target of heavy criticism due to her flop shows in recent times. Notably, Raducanu is currently on the sidelines after surgeries on her ankle and hands.

Related: Christopher Eubanks indebted to Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka for helping him as he makes his Grand Slam quarter-final debut at Wimbledon

Victoria Azarenka ends her campaign at the 2023 Wimbledon

Victoria Azarenka ends her campaign at the 2023 Wimbledon Open
Victoria Azarenka (Image via People)

Victoria Azarenka started her 2023 Wimbledon Championships campaign strongly. After overcoming Yue Yuan in three sets, she breezed past the likes of Nadia Podoroska and Daria Kasatkina in the second and third sets, respectively.

However, she couldn’t get past Elina Svitolina in the fourth round. The match was electrifying, as both players won a set each before it went to the decider. The Belarusian clinched the first set 6-2 before Svitolina grabbed the second set with a score of 6-4. The third set went to a tiebreak, where the Ukrainian, with an 11-9 score, collapsed on the ground after winning 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11-9).

Interestingly enough, it was the first time Svitolina could emerge victorious against the two-time Grand Slam title champion. Azarenka used to lead their head-to-head record by 5-0, which Svitolina finally broke. Svitolina is all set to face World No. 1 Iga Swiatek on Tuesday (July 11, 2023) on Centre Court.

In case you missed it!