Victoria Azarenka has been absent from the court for almost a year and has only made sporadic appearances on social media, leading many fans to speculate that the former world No. 1 had quietly ended her tennis career. On her 37th birthday, the Belarusian broke her silence with a deeply introspective message, offering a glimpse into her life lately, her priorities, and the new perspective shaping her current world.
“This birthday felt different,” Azarenka began her post. While driving home from pilates, the former world No. 1 realized that, for the first time in as long as she could remember, she was celebrating her birthday surrounded by both of her parents and her friends.
Having traveled the world since her youth, Azarenka finally had a moment to appreciate the importance of life’s little things: “For the first time in a long time, I didn’t find myself wishing for anything. I just felt grateful. Grateful to be present, to enjoy the moment, and to appreciate the people around me.”
This birthday felt different.
On my drive home after Pilates today, I caught myself thinking about how special it is to simply be surrounded by family and friends. I asked both my mom and my dad when the last time was that we were all together for my birthday, and none of us…
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) July 31, 2026
Azarenka’s last match came in the third round of the 2025 US Open against Jessica Pegula. While fans are waiting for any mention of her tennis future, Azarenka’s birthday reflection focused on a different aspect of her life, with pilates being the only physical activity she referenced.
However, Azarenka, who is mom to son Leo, did acknowledge her long absence from social media, explaining: “I’ve also spent some time away from the public eye recently, and it’s given me the chance to enjoy quiet moments, private moments, and family moments that I haven’t really been able to experience since I was very young. Those moments have become incredibly meaningful to me.”
Giving fans a glimpse into her thoughts and feelings while making no mention of tennis, Azarenka’s message has led some fans to wonder whether it could be a silent retirement announcement.
