Azarenka to compete in Mallorca Open in first appearance after birth of son

Belarusian woman tennis player Victoria Azarenka is set to play in the Mallorca Open in her first appearance after a maternity break, the tournament organisers confirmed on Wednesday.

Azarenka, former world No.1, said on Monday that she was ready to participate in a tournament on grass before Wimbledon, after giving birth to her first child, Leo, in December 2016, reports Efe.

Tournament director Tony Nadal, coach and uncle of Spanish tennis star Rafa Nadal, said he was satisfied with her taking part in the event as she is a high level player.

Azarenka was on top of the WTA rankings for 57 weeks, with her last match in the 2015 Wimbledon quarter-finals against American Serena Williams, who is expecting a baby this summer. Azarenka, 27, has two Australian Open titles.

Along with Azarenka, Spanish players Carla Suarez and Lara Arruabarrena, Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, Dutch Kiki Bertens and Germany's Laura Siegemund will compete in the Spanish tournament second edition, held between June 18-25.

France's Caroline Garcia will defend the title she claimed when she defeated Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in straight sets.

--IANS

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