Victoria Azarenka trolls rusty Andy Murray by begging Novak Djokovic's son, 10, to replace him as her doubles partner - with Brit having 'hardly hit a ball' since retiring six months ago
Share:
Victoria Azarenka left Andy Murray red-faced during an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic by demanding he be substituted out for the Serbian's primary school-age son. The pair were facing Djokovic and Qinwen Zheng in the mic'd-up charity match - part of 'A Night with Novak' - at a packed Rod Laver Arena ahead of the Australian Open.
![[The Serbian's 10-year-old boy, Stefan, declined the request in front of the Australian crowd]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/15/93916963-14267319-image-a-35_1736435130929.jpg)
And Murray's return to court more than five months after handing up his racquet went south, with the Brit fatiguing end losing 4-3 in a single-set Fast4 format game. The Scot recently he admitted he had 'hardly hit a ball' since retiring at the Paris Olympics and appeared laboured on court, though his antics were likely exaggerated for the humorous contest, as made clear by his comically loud grunting and moaning.
![[Murray went on to hit a winner on the next shot, but looked out of sorts on his return to court]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/15/93916975-14267319-image-a-36_1736435162812.jpg)
At one point, two-time Aussie Open champion Azarenka asked for Djokovic's 10-year-old son, who was sat nearby, to replace the former British number one. 'Novak, I heard your son is a very good player, can I substitute him for Andy?' she aksed, to much laughter.
![[The 'Night with Novak' ahead of the Australian Open was mic'd up and done for charity]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/15/93916977-14267319-image-a-37_1736435197195.jpg)
Victoria Azarenka jokingly asked for Andy Murray to be subbed off for Novak Djokovic's son during an exhibition match. The Serbian's 10-year-old boy, Stefan, declined the request in front of the Australian crowd. Murray went on to hit a winner on the next shot, but looked out of sorts on his return to court.
![[Murray has been coaching Novak in the build-up to the tournament in Melbourne]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/15/93917053-14267319-image-a-38_1736435243747.jpg)
