Williams and Azarenka hit the beach in Hua Hin
World No 1 Serena Williams and No 2 Victoria Azarenka swapped hard courts for something softer yesterday when they took up the challenge of the Hua Hin Beach Tennis Championship.
The world’s top two briefly suspended their rivalry to team up and face Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn on the sands behind Centennial Park. The beach match was a warm-up for Williams and Azarenka’s exhibition match on the Centennial courts a few hours later.
Williams, 32, is on her second visit to the Kingdom after a brief visit six years ago at the invitation of the Lawn Tennis Association following her Australian Open win.
Both Williams and Azarenka looked pretty comfortable on sand, never losing a point to the local pair and thrilling beach-goers with the rare sight of the world’s best playing together.
The evening before, both had been strutting the catwalk for the Made in Thailand Night with Serena & Victoria fashion bash, showcasing outfits designed by Yuna. Williams, who has a special interest in fashion design, stepped onto the ramp in a pink Thai-silk evening gown. She then strode down it with the same confidence she shows chasing down the ball on court.
“It’s extremely comfortable. It’s a beautiful dress by a talented designer. We don’t really have this material in the United States. It’s pretty amazing,” said Williams. After the show, the US star spent time shopping at a local night market with her entourage, including coach and rumoured boyfriend Patrick Mouratoglo, who had arrived in Thailand a few hours earlier.
Azarenka, who took to the catwalk here 12 months ago with China’s Li Na, chose to dazzle Hua Hin with a silver-grey silk dress this time round. Unlike Williams, the Belarussian did not have her significant other, “Red Foo”, watching in the audience.
