Justine Henin praises 'inspiration' Victoria Azarenka for opening up about 'fears' at Australian Open
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Published 24/01/2023 at 16:30 GMT
Victoria Azarenka spoke after reaching the Australian Open semi-finals about overcoming her "fear of failing" and also her struggles with anxiety during the 2022 season. Former world No. 1 Justine Henin said Azarenka is an "inspiration" for talking about her mental health while Tim Henman said it was "powerful" and also "very valuable" for others to hear.
'It's okay to accept fears' - Henin on 'fear of failure' and Azarenka comments
Justine Henin has expressed her admiration for Victoria Azarenka after she opened up about her "fear of failing” and her battles with anxiety over the last year.
Azarenka beat Jessica Pegula in straight sets to reach her first Australian Open semi-final since she won the Grand Slam for a second time in 2013.
Afterwards she spoke about her struggles with anxiety in 2022 and how it has taken her 10 years to "finally get over” criticism she faced the last time she was at this stage of the Australian Open.
Former world No. 1 Henin described Azarenka as an "inspiration” and praised her for speaking about her fears.
"I loved that part, because it’s OK to accept that we have some fears. We have to not fight with it, as she said, but to accept it and to prove to herself that she can get over it, that she can find solutions, and that’s what we could see in this tournament,” said Eurosport expert Henin.
"Even if I have to be honest, I really thought Pegula was the biggest favourite today. I was impressed by the way Victoria - also against Madison Keys [in the third round] - could deal with her emotions even if she wasn’t feeling so well on the court, and we can see the work that she did in that part.
"Even now, she wants to be even more professional - she wants to improve in different parts of her life, and I think it’s an inspiration after everything she lived, after everything she has won.
"To come back and to still get that fire today to try to analyse that and try and work on [herself], but also accept that she’s human, and that sometimes she has some weaknesses…Sometimes you can have some weaknesses and it’s good enough - you can work with it, you can win with it. I think it’s fantastic the way she talks about it.”
Azarenka is a former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion.
She took time away from tennis around giving birth to her son Leo in December 2016, but has returned to the top of the sport and is now challenging for another major win at the age of 33.
"I have kids myself, and I admire these women that have kids and then decide to come back on the tour,” said Henin.
"We know and we can imagine how hard it is - physically, mentally - to combine these very demanding jobs, and we see it more often now.
"Probably she learnt a lot of things, and also we can feel that she takes some distance from that. She takes distance from tennis, even if she wants to play well, to win the most she can. But still, she is a mum, there is another life besides tennis, and we can feel a different state of mind and it’s just great to see because it offers the kind of tennis that she gave us today.”
Former British No. 1 and Eurosport expert Tim Henman said it was "powerful" to hear Azarenka open up about her mental health battles.
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"I think it’s so powerful that you have some of these top athletes talking about some of their vulnerabilities, because sometimes they can be on a pedestal.
"They think everything is perfect in their life, they’re playing in these biggest tournaments, winning great matches. But I think that they’re incredible role models - it’s important that we can speak about our mental health. There is help out there if you are struggling - the best way is to talk about it.
"I think it’s been very valuable, helpful, that lots more people are more open about it now.”
Azarenka will next face Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who beat Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets in the quarter-finals.
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Azarenka stuns Pegula to reach semi-finals in style - Australian Open highlights
Eurosport expert Laura Robson thinks Azarenka could be tough to beat after playing "perfect tennis” to overcome Pegula.
"She’s honest enough to say that ‘look I wasn’t doing the right things last year, but I am now, and I am putting myself in the conversation.’ I just feel like now all of a sudden, she’s got to be one of the main contenders because I don’t know how you get through her - the way she was moving tonight, the way she was defending and mixing it up - it was just perfect tennis.”
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