Three-time Miami Open champion Victoria Azarenka left one of her favorite tournaments in tears last week, but the former world No. 1 gave fans an encouraging update on Friday that there is “no long-term damage” from the injury she suffered against Karolina Muchova.
Azarenka retired against Muchova in the second round due to what was reported as a neck injury after losing the first set 6-0. But the 2009, 2011 and 2016 Miami winner started suffering physically in the match before that, and only retired at the start of the second set in the face of worsening pain. With Muchova serving at 40-40, Azarenka suddenly dropped her racquet and cried out in pain as she returned Muchova’s first serve. She could not continue after that, while both Muchova and chair umpire Marija Cicak hurried to her aid at the back of the court before she received further medical attention.
On Friday, the 35-year-old spoke out on X, formerly Twitter, that though “it will still take a bit of time to recover fully,” she is “working through her diagnosis,” which she did not reveal, and has officially started rehab and training.
