In preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, we're profiling 20 of the top medal contenders.
Victoria Azarenka has played on tennis’ grandest stages and regards the Olympic Games as sport’s ultimate platform.
“For me it's a huge deal,” Azarenka said of the Olympic experience. “For me, it's history. It's the biggest event the athlete in any sport can have. So I'm really excited for me and for our country. It's going to be amazing.”
The world No. 1 is a dual threat to medal in London: Azarenka plans to play mixed doubles with long-time friend and doubles world No. 1 Max Mirnyi, reprising the partnership that saw the pair win the 2007 U.S. Open mixed doubles title.
“It's one of my main goals, and I'm really excited to play there,” Azarenka said. “It's going to be my second one, so I'm going to go there with more experience and I would really love to win the medal.”
Previous Olympic Singles Results
Beijing, 2008: Lost in third round to Venus Williams
Previous Olympic Doubles Results
Beijing, 2008: Lost in second round with Tatiana Poutchek to Lindsay Davenport and Liezel Huber
More Olympic Profiles:
—Agnieszka Radwanska
—Ana Ivanovic
—Andy Murray
—Andy Roddick
—Angelique Kerber
—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
—John Isner
—Juan Martin del Potro
—Kei Nishikori
—Kim Clijsters
—Li Na
—Maria Sharapova
—Milos Raonic
—Novak Djokovic
—Petra Kvitova
—Roger Federer
—Serena Williams
—Tomas Berdych
—Venus Williams
—Victoria Azarenka