Victoria Azarenka sends heartfelt message after Donna Vekic beats Caroline Garcia to clinch Monterrey Open title

Victoria Azarenka expressed her happiness for Donna Vekic after the Croat won her fourth WTA title - and first since 2021 - at the Monterrey Open on Sunday. Vekic beat top seed and world No. 5 Caroline Garcia in the final.

Coming into the final, Garcia had not dropped a set all week and faced only six break points in four matches. But the Frenchwoman, who is also the leader for most singles wins (15) on the WTA tour so far this season, met another highly in-form player in third seed Vekic.

A forehand from Garcia on match point gave Vekic a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory, and the Croat initially wore a look of relief before celebrating with a little dance. Victoria Azarenka was glad to see the special moment, and she reacted with a post on social media.

Azarenka will soon get the opportunity to congratulate Vekic in person, as the two players will take part in Desert Smash 2023 on Tuesday. Desert Smash is a celebrity charity tennis event at the La Quinta Resort & Club near Indian Wells.

Azarenka, who made the Australian Open semifinals in January, last played at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she lost in the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, with Sunday's win, Donna Vekic will rise to No. 24 in the WTA rankings. She was ranked as low as No. 67 just two months ago.

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"I’m sure I will keep having good results" - Donna Vekic reacts to winning Monterrey Open

Donna Vekic in action at the 2023 Australian Open.

Reacting to her first title in almost two years and a continuation of her good run of form, Donna Vekic said that she sensed a title was around the corner after her great start to the 2023 season. Vekic also expressed confidence in her ability to produce similar results going forward this season, provided she stays healthy and fit.

"It’s been a great start of the year for me. If the title didn’t come now, I believe that it would have come soon," Donna Vekic said after the match, as per WTA.

"So I’ve been playing good tennis, and I just need to keep working hard and hopefully stay healthy, and I’m sure I will keep having good results."

Vekic has reached at least the quarterfinals in all three tournaments she has played so far this season. She had earlier made the last-eight stage at the Australian Open and the Linz Open.

The 26-year-old will now aim to carry this form into Indian Wells and Miami, two tournaments in which she has no points to defend this season.