Music fans will soon get to hear the symphonic-like shrieking that Victoria Azarenka brings to her tennis.
The No1-ranked player and reigning Australian Open champion is known as one of the more vocal players on the women's tour, accompanying almost every whack of the ball with a high-pitched "Ooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuwww." In a silent stadium, the sound can linger in the air.
Azarenka's friend, the American rapper Redfoo, who has produced multiple hit singles, has recognised some musical potential in the shriek. He recorded it and has mixed the sound into a new song due to be released soon, she said on Monday.
"It's my grunt. It's not my vocals," Azarenka said, clarifying that she was not recorded singing. "I don't take high-key or low-key there. It's just natural."
Melbourne Park got a 57-minute Azarenka concert on Monday as she beat Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1 in the fourth round and continued her confident run towards the defence of her title. Going into the quarter-finals, Azarenka has dropped only one set.
Known for his wild hair and even wilder music, Redfoo has been seen cheering from Azarenka's players' box and signing autographs during most of her matches. Azarenka was quoted as telling the Australian media that Redfoo, the LMFAO frontman whose real name is Stefan Kendal Gordy (he's the son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy), had to fly off to a gig in Malaysia but plans to come back later in the week.
Next up for Azarenka is Svetlana Kuznetsova, who entered the season's first major ranked No75 but has won titles at the 2004 US Open and 2009 French Open.
Kuznetsova advanced after a 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 win over Caroline Wozniacki, a former No1-player who will now slip out of the top 10.
The 27-year-old Kuznetsova said she noticed a difference in the temperament of Azarenka, who was prone in the past to hot-headed outbursts on court.
"She's changed and just become so stable," said Kuznetsova. "I think she just got calmer. She's consistent."
Going into the match feeling like the underdog gives Kuznetsova added confidence, she said.
"She's No1. I have nothing to lose. She has all the pressure," she said. "I've got the game to give her some problems, and I will just do my best and try to enjoy it."
Azarenka smiled when told her opponent had complimented her composure. "I'm always going to be an emotional player," she said, adding that now she's learning how to pick the right reaction for each point. "Sometimes you need to be more aggressive … to pump yourself up," Azarenka said. "Sometimes you just need to relax and breathe."
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