Victoria Azarenka enjoyed a straight-set passage into the US Open quarterfinals, with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Varvara Lepchenko, and even though the bandages on her arms make her look even fiercer, the reason she’s wearing them is not a good promotion for her sponsor Nike. In the on-court interview after the match, Azarenka said that she’s wearing the armbands to protect her skin from rubbing against her shirt, which has caused her blisters.
Here’s that part of Vika’s interview:
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I love Vika’s sporty look, the tank with printed back and cute coordinating shorts, but comfort comes first! It’s strange that Nike has allowed such a glitch in design. Azarenka made her statement milder when she added that she likes how cool her armbands look, comparing herself to Pocahontas, and by saying that she had never had such clothing troubles before.
That’s so strange! Maybe it happened from the seams down the side? But even then, when Vika swings, she’s not that close to her body
Ga, it is strange, since many players are wearing the same tank without problems. Look Vinci is wearing it now in her quarterfinal against Mladenovic and she doesn’t have armbands.
Are there any other women in the WTA that play in shorts like Vika does? I used to not be a fan of hers, with the shrieking and her beating the beloved Li Na at the AO 2013 finals, but I have sort of come around on her. I hope she plays Serena in the US Open final, because that would be the best match IMHO. Of course I would still be pulling for Serena.
Jim, Vika is definitely the most prominent WTA player that wears shorts in competitive matches. Kuznetsova used to be famous for her shorts back in the day: https://womenstennisblog.com/2011/12/30/kim-clijsters-and-svetlana-kuznetsova-representing-fila-during-its-100th-anniversary-year/
strange she was wearing armbands today as well even though she was wearing same top as petra and eugenie. Marija BTW do you like those shorts? I mean I like vika in shorts but the ones she is wearing this us open is totally spoiling her look for me
Sru, against Halep in the quarterfinals she wore armsleeves. Yes, so many players have been wearing that top and they have no blisters. I love the shorts. The teal and bright yellow combination is awesome and I like the design.