‘Soccer mom’ Victoria Azarenka on her love for PSG ‘since the Beckham days’ and her son’s football dreams

Victoria Azarenka has been donning a PSG shirt throughout the Australian Open, but what is the story behind her support for the French club?
Former world No 1 Azarenka reached the semi-final of the 2023 season-opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park on Tuesday after dispatching Jessica Pegula in straight sets.
After the match she proudly put on her Paris Saint-German shirt to conduct the on-court interview – as has become customary now.
Following questions and answers about the match, attention turned to her son Leo, football and her dog.
“Leo doesn’t really care so much that I play here [at the Australian Open], he worries more about his football and when are we going to play again,” she said.
“Obviously he is watching some matches and he wants his mom to be home. A few more days here and I’ll be back. It’s actually my dog’s birthday today. I miss my dog also so much, I have become a dog mom as well. I have two kids now.”
Azarenka, of course, is a massive football fan as she attended several of Argentina’s games at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and has made it clear that Lionel Messi is king.
El rey 👑 pic.twitter.com/e8GjKikzIj
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) December 3, 2022
But what is her connection to French giants PSG?
Azarenka answered the question ahead of the Australian Open as she also opened up about being a “soccer mom” and her son’s dream of playing for PSG.
Vika 🤝 big @PSG_English fan
So is her son, Leo 🥰@vika7 • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/Y1UQ5tidsc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2023
“Everybody asked me this question ‘Why are you wearing a PSG shirt?’ and nobody understands that I have been supporting them since 2012 since [former England captain David] Beckham was signed to the club and I have been a fan for a long time, been to many, many games.
“My son Leo is extremely into football now. I call it football, he calls it soccer. We have this debate and he wants to play for Paris Saint-Germain. That’s his dream. I was like ‘it’s pretty good’. He’ll see me wearing a shirt and he’ll wear a shirt at the same time so we are matching.
“I’m a soccer mom now and I love that. I love supporting, I’m obnoxious, I yell, but I’m very positive. I’m actually very proud because it is a completely different emotion for me to support my son. I have no shame of screaming for him, like zero, but I am very supportive, I want him to do well and I want him to achieve his dream.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Little changes for world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in Miami
Carlos Alcaraz isn’t out to reinvent the wheel.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz will bring the best out of Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev
The likes of Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev will need to lift their game to compete with Carlos Alcaraz.
-
ATP Tour
Is there any way that Carlos Alcaraz can improve?
Carlos Alcaraz was dominant at Indian Wells.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer gets another net worth bump as On stocks soar
Roger Federer can’t stop winning.
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev is not caught up with being Russian No 1
Andrey Rublev doesn’t need to be the top Russian.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer welcomes world No 1 Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton to the On team
Roger Federer is thrilled to welcome two generational talents to On apparel.
-
WTA Tour
Monica Seles sees herself in Naomi Osaka
Monica Seles is hopeful that Naomi Osaka will return to tennis after the birth of her first child.
-
News
Martina Navratilova opens up on cancer battle in emotional interview
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has opened up on her cancer battle.
-
ATP Tour
Miami Open draw: Andy Murray on collision course with Carlos Alcaraz
Andy Murray is lined up with a Round of 32 meeting against world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
-
Tennis News
Naomi Osaka sets out to become a mental health champion
Naomi Osaka is out to hit a winner for mental health.