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Victoria Azarenka wants her US Open semifinal victory over her friend and partner Serena Williams to inspire women to continue to pursue their postpartum dreams.
Williams, the No. 3 seed, has again failed in her latest attempt to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, falling 1-6, 6-3 and 6-3.
But even though Williams squandered her lead in the first set, Azarenka believes both are winners for playing at Grand Slam level and her powerful message that parenthood shouldn’t define any female athlete was arguably greater than her achievement of reach his first Grand Slam final in seven years.
Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
Mom’s friends and colleagues Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka congratulate each other after their US Open semifinal.
Williams, 38, gave birth to daughter Alexis in 2017 and a year earlier Azarenka, 31, welcomed her son Leo into the world.
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When Azarenka was asked after the game at Flushing Meadows what message the high-quality semifinal clash between her and Williams sent to mothers around the world, she delivered an inspiring message.
Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
Victoria Azarenka takes a moment to herself after defeating Serena Williams.
“Hopefully it inspires women to pursue their dreams,” she said on the US Open broadcast on Sky Sport.
“I feel like you can’t always identify as one thing, you have a lot of things you can do in your life,” Azarenka said in the post-match interview.
Fighting Williams crushing her 6-1 in a scorching first set was nothing compared to the challenges of parenting.
Frank Franklin II / AP
Victoria Azarenka delivered an inspiring message to all mothers after the match.
“Being a father is the most important thing in my life, but I am a tennis player on the court, I am a fighter on the court, I want to pursue my dreams … inspire my son.
“I hope women around the world know that they can do anything … because being a mother is the hardest thing, so once the balance is achieved, you can do anything,” Azarenka told the US broadcast. Open.
The Belarusian’s comeback win earned her one last appearance against Naomi Osaka seven years after losing to Williams in the 2013 US Open final.
That was also his final final appearance on Major.
Frank Franklin II / AP
Serena Williams reacts during a US Open tennis championship semifinal match against Victoria Azarenka.
Williams also beat Azarenka in the 2012 US Open final, but the former World No. 1 won her two Majors in those same years at the 2012 and 2013 Australian Open tournaments.
His victory in the US Open semifinal was the first time he defeated Williams at the US Open.
Seth Wenig / AP
Serena Williams receives treatment for ankle discomfort in the third set.
Williams received treatment for an ankle discomfort during the third set, but said after the match that it was not the reason he lost and it did not have a detrimental effect on his performance.
