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By Chris Oddo | Tuesday December 12, 2017

Victoria Azarenka will attend the 2018 Australian Open as a wild card, the tournament announced on Tuesday. The two-time champion has only played two tournaments in the last 19 months due to pregnancy, motherhood and an ongoing custody battle with her son Leo’s father, Billy McKeague.

More: Azarenka Won't Play U.S. Open

According to Christopher Clarey of the New York Times, it is unclear if Azarenka will be accompanied by her son in Australia.

“I’m so excited about coming back to Melbourne for the Australian Open, it’s my favourite tournament,” Azarenka said in a statement. “I’ve won there twice and always feel so comfortable on court and the city is great. It’s been a tough year and being able to come back to the AO will be a really positive way to start 2018. I’d like to thank Craig and his team for their understanding and support and can’t wait to see all my Aussie fans again.”

Azarenka, who split with her coach Michael Joyce this year, has not yet named a replacement coach. The former World No.1 is currently ranked 210 in the world, but she did reach the second week at Wimbledon in the only Grand Slam she has played since the 2016 French Open.


Azarenka owns a 42-9 record at the Australian Open, and has reached the quarterfinal or better there five times. The 28-year-old plans to begin her season at Auckland at the ASB Classic, where she has also been granted a wild card.

 

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