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Azarenka survives injury scare


 

Originally published on: 24/06/13 00:00

The world No.2 received treatment after slipping on the grass during her first-round match against Portugal’s Maria Joao Koehler.

The Australian Open champion returned to action moving tentatively with her leg heavily strapped, but Koehler failed to take advantage as she bowed out with a 6-1 6-2 defeat.

“It happened so quick in the second that my leg just kind of collapsed,” Azarenka said. “I felt like my knee just turned the other way, and it was just so nasty. I was in such shock. I had such a consistent pain that it just completely freaked me out.”

She added: “At that moment I was just thinking that I have to try and do something. I was concerned and the physios was concerned, ‘can you go through, can you play on it?’  And I had no idea till I would go and I would try. I just wanted to give everything I have on that court even though I knew it could get worse.  I just wanted to play and try my best.

Despite clearly being in some pain, Azarenka insists she never gave any thought to her future in the Championships.

“I didn't think about what's going happen with the tournament,” she said. “I was just hoping I was OK because it happened so quickly.

“I'm pretty proud of the way I kind of programmed my mind and really was taking it one [point] at a time because it's never easy.  At one point I couldn't see the ball.  All I could think about is what happened.  So that shock took a little bit of while for me to get over.  But I'm glad I could find that calmness in that critical moment.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.