"Hopefully somehow, someway, things can get better"- Victoria Azarenka shows solidarity towards the Turkey earthquake victims at the Qatar Open 

Belarusian tennis star Victoria Azarenka showed support for the victims of the deadly earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria earlier this month by walking out on the court with a Turkish flag tied to herself.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6 claimed more than 37,000 lives, following which support and relief efforts could be seen from the entire world.

The World No. 17 walked out on the court with a Turkish flag tied to herself for her Round of 32 match at the ongoing Qatar Open where she played Turkish player Ipek Oz. She breezed past the Turk 6-1, 6-1.

One fan took to Twitter to share images of Azarenka's gesture.

"No, I am not crying" the fan tweeted

Following the match, Azarenka shared a warm embrace with her Turkish opponent Oz, which moved the audience and viewers.

The same fan also shared images of the hug.

"Hug at net love you both" read the tweet

During the on-court interview, Azarenka was appreciated for her gesture by the interviewer and the 33-year-old acknowledged that it must have been difficult for Oz to play given the circumstances.

"It was our first meeting and I'm sure it was very hard for her to go out on court and play right now, so I wish her strength so hopefully somehow, someway, things can get better" she said

Azarenka revealed that the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) is also launching a fund for the relief effort.

Victoria Azarenka into the last 16 at the Qatar Total Engergies Open

Victoria Azarenka at the Qatar Total Energies Open

Victoria Azarenka is through to the round of 16 after a comfortable win over Turkey's Ipek Oz 6-1, 6-1 at the Qatar Total Energies Open, which began on February 13.

She now faces the winner of the Round of 32 match-up between Bulgaria's Viktoriya Tomova and Switzerland's Belinda Bencic.

The 33-year-old has won the Qatar Open twice in her career. Her first title in Doha came in 2012 when she defeated Australia's Samantha 'Sam' Stosur 6-1, 6-1. In 2013 she defended her title against American Serena Williams in a thrilling match with a score of 7–6(6), 2–6, 6–3. Her 2013 win marked Azarenka's 16th career title.

In 2021, the Belarusian had to pull out of the tournament due to a back injury and in 2022 she made it to the second round. Poland's Iga Swiatek went on to win the title.