Visa issues rule Victoria Azarenka out of National Bank Open in Toronto

WATCH: Azarenka reached the quarterfinals of the Citi Open, her first tournament since missing Wimbledon.

Three-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka will sit out one of the biggest warm-up events of the summer due to visa issues.

Azarenka, who was already forced to miss Wimbledon due to the All England Club’s ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes, expressed disappointment with the situation on social media.

“It’s very sad to miss one of my favorite tournaments,” wrote Azarenka, a former world No. 1. “I love to play in Canada with great fans and a place where I made many friends over the years.”

Azarenka returned to action this week at the Citi Open just after her 33rd birthday, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Wang Xiyu in straight sets.

Prior to her shock exit, Azarenka spoke openly about missing out on Wimbledon, an event where she twice reached the semifinals.

I think what people missed here was a big opportunity to show how sports can unite,” she said after a first-round win over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. “I think we missed that opportunity, but I hope we can still show it.”

Azarenka aims to be back in action at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, a tournament she has won twice—most recently in 2020.