Dressed for success (at a worst dressed convention – three quarter tights!), reigning World #1 and defending Australian Open champion, Victoria Azarenka, has just claimed a convincing victory in three sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-3) over an injury-plagued Li Na in a stop-start grand final at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
In a dramatic finale to the ladies draw that up until an injury in the fourth game of the second set looked like it all but belonged to Li Na, Azarenka had to contend with a vocal crowd in her opponents corner, multiple breaks due to said injuries and an extended intermission of ten minutes during the Australia Day fireworks. In spite of those obstacles, Azarenka managed to take the third and final set with relative ease and a 6-3 scoreline.
After repeated injuries to both her left ankle and her noggin, Li Na made off with the arguably greater prize of our hearts when with grace and humility she persevered through the final set and in the proceeding ceremonials, accessorising with a winning smile and cracking a few jokes in her conceding speech:
“I hate my team. They push me a lot! It’s not that bad. I should shut up.” She also stated that “despite her age” (31) she looks forward to competing here in future tournaments.
After accepting and holding her Daphne Akhurst trophy aloft, Azarenka, who still holds onto both her No. #1 ranking and is the eight woman to defend her Australian Open title, made sure to thank the demure “Party Rock crew – you guys are amazing. He he he…
I will always keep special memory of this court and you will be in my heart forever. The last thing I want to say is happy Australia Day everybody!“
Redfoo then proceeded to crash Azarenka’s post-match interview with Channel 7, telling That Guy From Channel 7, “It’s a dream come true. I came out here to support her and I’m just so happy.“
When asked about Azarenka’s plans for the interim period between Grand Slam tournaments, Redfood replied, “She’s actually very into music. In the off-season she might be my pianist – my keyboard player; pianist is a piano player, not a dirty word.“
The adorable couple then proceeded to fight over a large Red Bull before proclaiming that tonight “we party” by “[drinking] everything.”
Happy Australia Day everybody.
Photo by Quinn Rooney via Getty
