Azarenka putting in the work for summer return to tour

A year ago, Victoria Azarenka was announcing her return back to top form in style, finishing off a clean sweep of the spring American hard court swing with both Indian Wells and Miami titles.

Now, the Belarusian is preparing for another return with an even more important title: that of mother, to her son Leo, who was born in December.

“Baby is doing really good,” Azarenka said in a Tennis Channel interview on Friday. “He is very happy. He is very smiley. He loves people and he loves outdoors, so yeah, he’s a joy to be around.”

Soon enough, Leo may have a chance to see his mom dominating on court once again, as she prepares to return to the WTA Tour. She said she started training three weeks ago, and recently hired a new coach in Michael Joyce.

But Azarenka is telling everyone: "Don't call it a comeback."

The two-time Australian Open champion and former world No. 1 said she's not rushing but her goal is to return in time for the summer US Open series.

Her social media accounts show that she is definitely working hard toward that goal.

Leo already loves watching the best in the world compete—the lucky baby even caught Roger Federer’s run to the Australian Open title.

But soon, he’ll likely be even happier when it is Azarenka smacking yellow tennis balls around the court. Win or lose, Azarenka said that her life has already changed for the better.

“It’s just like a part of you that I’ve never experienced before,” Azarenka said of being a mother. “The emotions, the feelings that it’s kind of hard to describe. The life to me is just more meaningful. It might sound a little cliché, but it’s really an amazing thing for me.”