Azarenka hopeful over Rome return

 

Originally published on 05/05/16 00:00

No.4 seed Azarenka pulled out of her third-round match against American qualifier Louisa Chirico on Wednesday after tweaking her lower back during practice.

"Unfortunately in my first match I think I tweaked my back a little bit. It was really cold, and, I don't know, I think it's much easier to get a little bit hurt when it's that cold," Azarenka said. "And the second match obviously I was in a lot of discomfort. Having a day off I thought it was going to get better. Today before my warm-up it did feel better, but once I started hitting it came back.

"I don't feel that I'm able to compete today. I'm just trying to make the smart decision and see the big picture."

Azarenka is hopeful she will be fit for next week's Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome ahead of the French Open which begins on May 22.

"We'll see how it goes. Really going to take it day by day and make sure my body is ready," she said. "I'm just trying to make the test, make sure there is nothing serious, and try to treat it as best as possible. My plan is to be ready for Rome, so hopefully I'll be able to do that."

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