Victoria Azarenka admits that playing Serena Williams in front of a sold-out Arthur Ashe Stadium can definitely be intimidating for the player on the opposing side of the net. Throughout her career, Williams has enjoyed a great support at Flushing Meadows.
On Monday, Williams defeated Danka Kovinic, in a match that broke the record for the US Open attendance record. Two days later, Williams took second-seeded Anett Kontaveit, in front of 29,959 spectators. The US Open attendance record was again broken.
After the match, Kontaveit admitted that it wasn’t easy playing while the whole stadium was turned against her. Azarenka has clashed Willliams four times at Flushing Meadows. In the 2020 US Open semifinal, Azarenka clinched her first US Open title over Williams.
Azarenka on the level of support for Williams at the US Open.
“I have heard that noise. Believe me, yep. It’s not easy thing to handle, absolutely. For somebody who has never been there, can be quite intimidating,” Azarenka said, via Eurosport.
“For me, it always fuelled me to be better. I understand why they are coming here. It’s not like, they are against me, they don’t like me. I don’t take it personally. I believe that Serena is such a big magnitude of tennis, and so much force, that there is no doubt that people are going to be supporting her in New York.
I take it as motivation to show great tennis. I think that speaks for it. That’s why people want to support you after, is you showing great tennis. But being it’s last Serena’s tournament, like, nobody wants to kind of miss those matches.
It’s pretty special. I’m sure it’s not an easy place to be across the net. But also special”. Meanwhile, Azarenka has been through to the US Open third round after beating Marta Kostyuk 6-2 6-3. Azarenka plays Petra Martic in the third round.
