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Azarenka to miss Fed Cup due to custody battle

The disappointing news is a result of her ongoing custody battle.

ByNina Pantic

Published Nov 02, 2017

Due to Victoria Azarenka's ongoing custody battle with her ex-boyfriend Billy McKeague, the former world No. 1 hasn't competed since Wimbledon and will miss next weekend's Fed Cup final.

Her return to the tour following the birth of her son Leo in December has seen her make just two appearances (Mallorca and Wimbledon).

The custody judge ordered that Leo cannot leave the state of California, and the new mom doesn't wish to travel without him. As she explained in a statement after her US Open withdrawal: "I look forward to hopefully having positive developments soon so that his difficult situation can be resolved and I can get back to competing. No parent should have to decide between their child and their career."

The 28-year-old has been training in California, and spending tons of time with little Leo.

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But the slow proceedings in the case mean she will miss out on Belarus' first-ever Fed Cup final against the United States in Minsk. The small nation was already an underdog even with the two-time Grand Slam champion on board.

The very young Belarus team will now showcase 19-year-old Tianjin finalist Aryna Sabalenka, world No. 87 Aliaksandra Sasnovich, world No. 130 Vera Lapko and doubles specialist Lidziya Marozava. The Americans boast a strong team with Top 15 stars Sloane Stephens and CoCo Vandeweghe, along with Top 70 players Shelby Rogers and Alison Riske.