MADRID, May 4, 2016

Victoria Azarenka was forced to withdraw from the Mutua Madrid Open due to a lower back injury. This was announced by the world number five on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately in my first match I think I tweaked my back a little bit. It was really cold, and, I don’t know, I think it’s much easier to get a little bit hurt when it’s that cold,” the 26-year-old from Belarus explained.

“And the second match obviously I was in a lot of discomfort. Having a day off I thought it was going to get better. Today before my tennis warmup it did feel better, but once I started hitting it came back. I don’t feel that I’m able to compete today. Just trying to make smart decision for a big picture.

I don’t really have a particular answer why it happened. There could have been couple of things. I been really sick the week before that. So I don’t know. I’m just trying to make the test, make sure there is nothing serious, and try to treat it as best as possible.”

Azarenka is uncertain to compete at next week’s tournament in Rome.

“Let’s see how it goes. Really going to take it day by day and make sure my body is ready. Hopefully I will be able to play next week.”

Azarenka wants to stay positive.

“I’m not going to sit here and beat myself that I got hurt. It’s just sports. I just need to stay positive and make sure that I do everything right to be able to move forward. My preparation is delayed a little bit with the matches, but going on the court playing what I did in the last match also doesn’t help my improvement. As I said beginning of the year and throughout this year, for me it’s all about improvement. I’m going to make those choices for that.”

Azarenka’s opponent Louisa Chirico received a walkover into the quarterfinals.