Victoria Azarenka doubtful for US Open owing to custody battle
Tuesday 22 August 2017 16:20, UK
Victoria Azarenka may miss the US Open later this month because of a disagreement with her former partner over the care of their baby son.
The former world No 1 returned to the sport in June, six months after the birth of Leo, before reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.
However, she has not played since on the WTA Tour, citing a viral illness for withdrawing from the Stanford tournament.
Azarenka has now revealed that the only way she could feature in the final Grand Slam of the season in New York is if she leaves behind Leo at home in California which is something she is unwilling to do as she goes through legal proceedings with Leo's father Billy McKeague.
The two-time Grand Slam champion remains optimistic that an arrangement can be reached with McKeague, who she separated from last month, to allow Leo to travel with her to Flushing Meadows.
The 28-year-old wrote on social media: "My incredible fans and friends, who have supported me throughout my career, deserve to know why I may not be able to compete at the US Open this year.
"Shortly after Wimbledon, Leo's father and I separated and, as we work to resolve some of the legal processes, the way things stand now is that the only way I can play in the US Open this year is if I leave Leo behind in California, which I'm not willing to do.
"I look forward to hopefully having positive developments soon so that this difficult situation can be resolved and I can get back to competing. No parent should have to decide between their child or their career.
"I remain optimistic that in the coming days Leo's father and I can put aside any differences and take steps in the right direction to more effectively work as a team and agree on an arrangement for all three of us to travel and for me to compete but, more importantly, to ensure that Leo has a consistent presence from both of his parents."
