Victoria Azarenka lost her #1 ranking after this year’s Roland Garros. She returned to her birthplace of Minsk, Belarus and is currently training there preparing for Wimbledon.

Today, Vika Azarenka conducted a practice session for junior tennis players on the courts of the Minsk tennis center.

After the practice, she answered a few questions.

Have you started preparing for Wimbledon?

Yes. My coach is coming here tomorrow. I will be training in Minsk.

After Roland Garros you have said that you are a bit tired of tennis, so have you had a chance to get away from the sport in Minsk?

I’ve tried to distract myself somehow. I’ve just been relaxing for a week.

What is more important to you during the Olympics in London, playing singles or playing mixed doubles with Max Mirnyi?

My priority is singles, but I want to succeed in mixed doubles as well. We are also planning to play together at Wimbledon.

What does losing your #1 ranking mean to you?

This is life, things happen. Now I’m number two in the world. But I still have a chance to become #1 again. So this will only give me further motivation to continue my hard work.

Have you congratulated Maria Sharapova when she achieved the number #1 ranking?

No.

How do you explain that lately you’ve been having a tough time in your first round matches?

Easy matches don’t exist. There are many factors. Sometimes there are obstacles, other times there is a tough opponent, while it can also be the difference in your physical conditions. You can’t always play your ideal game. It’s just a sport.

Victoria, are you watching the European soccer championships?

I watch it almost every day. I’m rooting for Spain, since Belarus is not participating. And since I’m pretty patriotic, I always root for my countrymen.