Victoria Azarenka’s Coach Ends Partnership, to Team Up With Rio Olympics Gold Medalist Monica Puig

Victoria Azarenka, the former world no.1 who suddenly rose to form when tennis resumed last year after the pandemic shutdown, couldn’t continue the same momentum this year on the WTA tour.

Azarenka’s best Grand Slam performance came at the French Open, where she reached pre-quarters and lost to eventual runner-up, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. However, the Belarusian made a strong finish to her campaign by reaching the finals at Indian Wells Masters, her final tournament of the season.

Oct 17, 2021; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Victoria Azarenka (BLR) hits a shot during the women’s final against Paula Badosa (ESP) during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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Coach Dorian Descloix splits up with Victoria Azarenka

At Indian Wells, Azarenka lost in a gripping three-set battle to Spain’s Paula Badosa. Now, ahead of the 2022 season, the former world no.1 decides to split up with coach Dorian Descloix.

French newspaper L’Equipe sports journalist Quentin Moynet revealed the news on Twitter.

Après avoir travaillé avec Victoria Azarenka, Dorian Descloix est le nouvel entraîneur de Monica Puig.

— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) December 20, 2021

Descloix started off as a hitting partner to Azarenka late last year, went on to coach her during the title victory at Cincinnati and was also present in her box during her historic run to the US Open final.

Dorian, who made his pro-debut partnering Gael Monfils at 2015 Sud de France has announced his formal retirement as a player late November last year.

Dorian will be a part of Monica Puig’s coaching team

Post the split with Azarenka, Descloix will take over Rio Olympics Gold Medalist Monica Puig. Puig, who shocked everyone when she claimed the gold medal five years ago, couldn’t play the Tokyo games this year owing to a shoulder surgery.

The Puerto Rican player didn’t play any event this year. Her last performance came at the French Open last year, where she lost to Sara Errani. Puig was ranked no.105 by the end of 2020 season and is yet to announce her schedule for the 2022 WTA season.

Also read: Why Tennis Players Are Selecting Indian Wells As the Best Masters 1000 Tournament for the Past 7 Years

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