Belarusian tennis star Victoria Azarenka says that there are untold stories of young tennis players who are manipulated by their coaches and are dependent on them.
The two-time Australian Open winner says that exploitation of female players is happening 'right and left' on the WTA Tour. As a member of the eight-person WTA Player Council, Azarenka says that safeguarding issues are at the forefront of her concerns and that the men's game doesn't have the same problem.
The Belarusian booked her place in the US Open fourth round but raised fears about the manipulation of young players on the Tour.
“I see a lot in the women’s game, many coaches that make their players dependent on them," said Azarenka.
“I think that’s very dangerous. It’s very manipulative too. I wish that kind of subject was talked about a little bit more. The job of the coach is to teach your player not to need you. I hope that young players really depend on themselves because it’s an individual sport.
“It’s a very sensitive subject because you won’t hear those stories unless players come out and tell those stories. It happens right and left on the Tour, which is unfortunate.
Azarenka is a mother to a five-year-old son and questions if she had a daughter whether should would want her playing tennis on the WTA Tour. "Our job (WTA Council) is to be better at safeguarding," she added.
"As a player council, it’s almost the number one subject to us. Because we see those vulnerable young ladies that getting taken advantage of in different situations.
“If I had a daughter, I would have a question would she want to play tennis. That would be a very big concern in that way for me. I can only speak from my opinion. I don’t want to make factual things."
Recently Fiona Ferro has filed charges against her former coach, Pierre Bouteyre, for rape and sexual assault between 2012 and 2015. Bouteyre has admitted the relationship but claims that their relationship was consensual.
"I don’t know how to put it in words sometimes," added Azarenka. "All you can do is check in on the person and give your hand what I can do, what I can help with.
"I applaud her for being brave. I hope she’s gonna come out of it (this situation) stronger and tennis is not ruined for her because of that."
On the court Azarenka booked her place in the US Open fourth round with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Petra Martić of Croatia after previously beating Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk 6-2,6-3.
