Victoria Azarenka Demands Overhaul in Tennis Scheduling as Fears Grow About Players Not Lasting 20-Plus Years

Victoria Azarenka is currently competing at the Italian Open and has won her opening round match.

Victoria Azarenka Demands Overhaul in Tennis Scheduling as Fears Grow About Players Not Lasting 20-Plus Years

Victoria Azarenka (via X)

Victoria Azarenka began her Rome Open campaign with a win over Camila Osorio. After the match, she spoke openly in her press conference, covering several key topics in tennis. Known for her honest views, Azarenka didn’t hold back.

She said that the sport needs to keep up with the times. Azarenka believes that most new players won’t have careers as long as hers. She has been playing professionally for over 20 years and is one of the last from her generation still competing.

My concern is less for me and more for younger players because it’s going to be a lot harder for them to have a career as long as I’ve had, to play 20-plus years on tour. From that end, I also think there should also be a conversation about how differently the balls have changed and evolved over the years, surfaces as well. When it comes to scheduling, we need more predictability to sell product for players to prepare, for fans to watch and business to distribute.

Victoria Azarenka said in an interview to Tennis.com

Azarenka shared that while she’s not worried for herself, she does worry about young players just starting out. She thinks the changes in the game, like longer tournaments and ball differences, could make it hard for players to last on tour.

She also said tennis should be more predictable in its scheduling. That would help players, fans, and the business side of the sport. Azarenka feels these changes are important as tennis now faces strong competition from other sports.

Victor Azarenka secures opening round win at the Rome Masters

Belarusian star Victoria Azarenka began her Italian Open campaign with a solid win. She defeated Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-3 to move into the second round. Azarenka is currently ranked 54th in the world, while Osorio sits just behind at 55.

Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka (via X)

In the next round, Azarenka will face Magdalena Frech from Poland. Frech holds the world number 25 ranking. Azarenka has a strong history in Rome, having reached the final back in 2013, where she lost to Serena Williams.

Aryna Sabalenka, also from Belarus, is the top seed at this year’s tournament. She will start in the second round against either Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine or Anastasia Potapova of Russia. Sabalenka was a finalist in Rome last year, losing to Iga Swiatek of Poland.

The Italian Open will run until May 17. The winner will receive 1,000 WTA ranking points and a prize of €877,300.

Victoria Azarenka shares emotional story on son

Former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka lives a busy life filled with travel, training, and tennis matches. As a single mother, she works hard to balance her job with raising her son, Leo. Even with her packed schedule, a recent moment with Leo reminded her how important it is to live in the present.

When I saw this photo of my son Leo today, something in me stirred—something I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was like being transported back to childhood, to that fleeting, magical feeling of being young, wild, and truly free. There’s something about the way he’s leaning out the window, hair tousled by the wind, eyes closed, tongue out, just feeling the moment without a care in the world—it stopped me in my tracks. It reminded me of a time when life felt lighter. When the world wasn’t resting on my shoulders. When happiness came from the smallest, simplest things, and joy wasn’t something to chase—it just existed in the now. I’m not sure I can remember the last time I felt that way, and yet, through Leo, I see it so clearly.

Victoria Azarenka on X

She posted a touching photo on social media of Leo enjoying a car ride. In the picture, he leans out the window, eyes closed and tongue out, feeling the wind. That moment showed Azarenka how beautiful simple joys can be.

He’s my reminder. That it’s okay to let go sometimes. That not everything has to be so heavy. That there’s still wonder in this world, even in something as small as the wind in your face. Watching him be so purely himself—unfiltered, unafraid—it made me realize how much I long to feel that way again. To live with that same freedom, without the restraints of expectations, pressures, or the constant hum of “what comes next.” It’s not about being reckless or forgetting responsibility. It’s about reconnecting with that breath-of-fresh-air version of yourself—the one who believes in joy for the sake of joy. That’s what Leo gives me. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what I want to give myself again, too.

Victoria Azarenka added

Azarenka spoke about how tough it is to stay present when life is always rushing forward. With so much focus on tennis and planning, she said it’s easy to forget to slow down and enjoy small moments.

Her post touched many people, especially parents and busy adults. It reminded everyone how children can teach us to stop, breathe, and find happiness in the little things.

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