Azarenka thrilled to be back at Indian Wells

Victoria Azarenka has thrown herself back into the rhythm of tour life as she prepares to make her comeback this week at Indian Wells.

The former world No.1 and two-time Grand Slam champion will play her first tournament since Wimbledon last year.

And she appears thrilled to be back, if her activity on social media is anything to go by.

> RELATED: Nadal pulls out of Indian Wells, Miami

> RELATED: injured Wawrinka to skip Indian Wells, Miami

She posed for a photo with fellow Belarusian Vera Lapko, practised with another compatriot in Aryna Sabalenka, and enjoyed the chance to catch up court-side with defending champion Elena Vesnina.

Champions Chat ????

Defending champ Elena Vesnina + two-time winner Victoria Azarenka catch up on the practice courts in #TennisParadise. #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/RMI9jCREYG

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 3, 2018

Azarenka’s eight-month absence from the tour has been due to an ongoing custody battle involving her former partner Billy McKeague over their now one-year-old son, Leo.

Legal proceedings have prevented Azarenka travelling with Leo outside of California. “The only way I can play … is if I leave Leo behind in California, which I’m not willing to do,” Azarenka explained on her Facebook page.

Indian Wells is one of just two WTA events staged in California.

Azarenka received a wildcard to compete in the main draw; the other women’s wildcard recipients are Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Dolehide, Claire Lui, Kayla Day, Danielle Collins, Amanda Anisimova and Sofya Zhuk.

Azarenka is not the only player making a comeback in the Californian desert, either.

> RELATED: Serena “Greatest Momma Of All Time”

Serena Williams looks set to make a much-anticipated return, while Svetlana Kuznetsova will make her first appearance at a tournament in 2018 – after last playing at the China Open five months ago – as she returns to action following left-wrist surgery.

The Russian remains in the top 20 but has plenty of points to defend after making the Indian Wells final in 2017.

The WTA tournament kicks off on Wednesday, with the women’s draw ceremony to take place on Monday afternoon (local time) and the men’s main draw on Tuesday afternoon.

Women’s qualifying action begins on Monday.