Victoria Azarenka is sort of an anomaly in the tennis world right now. In a sport that constantly obsesses over "the next big thing" and teenagers winning slams, Vika—as everyone calls her—remains the gritty, loud, and undeniably brilliant veteran who refuses to just fade away. Honestly, watching her play in 2026 is a masterclass in resilience. It’s not just about the trophies anymore, though her mantle is plenty heavy. It’s about the fact that she’s still here, grinding through neck injuries and ranking dips, while most of her original rivals have already settled into comfortable retirements.
You’ve probably seen the stats. Two Australian Open titles. Three US Open finals. Former world number one. But those numbers don't really tell the story of the current version of Victoria Azarenka. Entering 2026, she’s sitting around world No. 132, a far cry from the top of the mountain. But if you think that means she’s "done," you haven't been paying attention.
The 2025 Rollercoaster and the "Injury Bug"
Last year was, to put it bluntly, a bit of a nightmare for her. Most fans remember the Miami Open. It was brutal. She was playing Karolina Muchova, trailing 6-0, when she basically collapsed in pain. It was a freak neck and shoulder injury that left her in tears on the court. For a player who has already dealt with her fair share of physical setbacks, it felt like a potential "this is it" moment.
She didn't quit, though.
She came back for the 2025 US Open, a place where the New York fans absolutely adore her. She’s reached the final there three times—losing to legends like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka—and there’s something about the humidity and the noise of Arthur Ashe Stadium that brings out her best. She made a decent run to the third round before running into Jessica Pegula. Pegula later said that when Azarenka is "on," she’s still one of the best baseliners the game has ever seen. That’s high praise from a top-5 player.
But the ranking took a massive hit because she just couldn't play enough tournaments. By the end of 2025, she had only competed in 12 events. When you aren't playing, you aren't winning points. Simple as that.
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Why Victoria Azarenka is the "Mom-in-Chief" of the WTA
If you follow her on Instagram, you know Leo. Her son is basically a fixture on the tour now. He’s often seen in the stands or even "coaching" her during practice sessions. It’s kinda cute, but it also highlights the massive shift Azarenka forced upon the WTA.
Before her, coming back from motherhood to the top 10 was considered almost impossible. Kim Clijsters did it, sure, but Vika took it a step further by becoming a literal advocate for policy change. She pushed for better maternity leave protections and ranking freezes so that women didn't have to choose between a family and a career. Because of her, the rules changed in 2019. Now, players can take time off to have a child without feeling like they are flushing their entire career down the drain.
That's her real legacy. Even more than the backhand.
The Game: What Makes Her So Hard to Beat?
Let's get technical for a second. Why is she still a threat at 36?
- The Return of Serve: It’s still elite. She stands inside the baseline and takes time away from her opponents. It’s aggressive and intimidating.
- The Backhand: It’s a laser. Flat, deep, and consistent.
- The Mental Fortitude: She’s seen it all. She doesn't panic when she's down a break.
She’s currently working with coach Hugo Armando and her long-time strength coach Francis Bougy. Bougy has been a game-changer for her. He’s the one who helped her get back to the 2020 US Open final after years of custody battles and injuries. His goal for her in 2026 is simple: stay injury-free. If she can stay on the court for 20+ tournaments, that ranking will skyrocket.
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Honestly, the biggest misconception about her is that she's just "hanging on." If you see her in the gym or during a practice set in Boca Raton, the intensity hasn't dropped a percent. She still hates losing more than she loves winning.
What’s Next in 2026?
There was some drama recently when she was noticeably absent from the 2026 Australian Open entry list. People started whispering about retirement again. "Is she calling it quits?" "Is the injury worse?"
Actually, she’s just being smart. At this stage of her career, she doesn't want to play qualifiers or low-level events just to grind out points. She’s hunting for wildcards at the big tournaments—the ones she’s won before. She knows she can still beat the top girls on a given day.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Players
If you're a fan of Victoria Azarenka or just a student of the game, here is what you should be watching for this season:
1. Watch the serve speed.
In her Miami interview last year, she mentioned that even Leo thinks her serve needs work. If she can get a bit more "free" power on the first serve, it takes the pressure off her movement, which is naturally a bit slower than it was ten years ago.
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2. The Hard Court Swing is Key.
Azarenka is a hard-court specialist. Always has been. If she doesn't make a deep run in Indian Wells or Miami this spring, the road back to the top 50 gets significantly harder.
3. Use her "Short-Angle" Tactics.
If you're a club player, study how Vika uses the short-angle crosscourt backhand to pull opponents off the court. She doesn't always hit for power; she hits for geometry. It's a much more sustainable way to play as you get older.
4. Follow the Wildcard Trail.
Keep an eye on tournament announcements for Doha and Dubai. These are places where she has historically played well and has strong relationships with organizers. A big win there could change her entire season trajectory.
Victoria Azarenka isn't just playing for herself anymore. She's playing to prove that a veteran mother can still be a "go-getter," as she calls it. Whether she gets back to another Grand Slam final or not, her influence on how the tour treats women is already a permanent win.