Azarenka announces return tournament

Former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka will resume her career at the Mallorca Open in Spain next month.

The 27-year-old, who has not played since the 2016 French Open and gave birth to her first child (a son called Leo) in December, made the announcement via the tournament’s social media account.

???? @vika7 has a special message for you! ????
¡Azarenka nos espera en el #MallorcaOpen ???? ¡Ven a verla! ???? https://t.co/cqjvOGzOeo pic.twitter.com/WZ8alxtej1

— MallorcaOpen (@MallorcaOpen) May 24, 2017

The Mallorca Open is a WTA International-level tournament held on grass from June 19 to 25. The inaugural edition was won by Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia last year.

The 2017 field includes Garcia, 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, world No.17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic.

Azarenka had been planning to return for the American hard court swing in July, but will now contest the Mallorca Open as well as Wimbledon after making better-than-expected progress in her training.

The Belarusian is a two-time semifinalist at the All England Club, but has not played a match on grass since a three-set loss to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon 2015 quarterfinals.

Toni Nadal, the uncle and coach of 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, is the tournament director in Mallorca. The Spanish island is also where the Rafa Nadal Academy, opened in 2016, is based.

Rafa tweeted Azarenka after she made her announcement, wishing her well in her return.

Great to hear that @vika7 will be coming back for the @MallorcaOpen! Enjoy the great tournament and the island!

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) May 24, 2017

Thank you Rafa! Looking forward to visit and compete! Good luck at Roland Garros ???? https://t.co/jzpxLpwpvv

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) May 24, 2017