Victoria Azarenka turns Andrey Rublev's photographer, calls him "the kindest heart"

Victoria Azarenka is truly impressed by her younger colleague Andrey Rublev and she isn’t hiding her admiration for the World No. 5. The Belarusian is also well and truly nurturing her passions outside of tennis and is letting her fans in on her love for photography.

The 2023 Australian Open semifinalist and two-time Australian Open champion has also previously clicked Ons Jabeur during a practice session.

She recently shared pictures of Rublev on her Instagram photography account 'Photography by Vika'. The Belarusian veteran captured the 25-year-old in action on a tennis court, wearing gear from his newly launched personal brand “Rublo.”

Victoria Azarenka gave her followers an insight into her perspective while capturing the Russian. She wrote that she admired him for his determination, dedication and intensity on the court, and further praised him for having the “kindest heart.”

"Determination, dedication and intensity of Andrey Rublev. And a kindest heart #tennis #photography," Victoria Azarenka wrote on Instagram.

When one of her Twitter followers lauded her photography skills, the Belarusian replied:

"My hobby"

This isn’t the first time that the former World No. 1 has had high words of appreciation for the seven-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist. During the 2023 Australian Open, Azarenka similarly praised Rublev for pulling through in a tough fourth-round encounter against World No. 9 and reigning Paris Masters champion Holger Rune.

After the No. 5 seed triumphed in the deciding fifth-set super tiebreak, saving two match points against him, the Belarusian celebrated his victory on social media.

"The nicest and pure hearted person Andrey Rublev. Way to fight," she tweeted.

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"Hopefully we'll be able to play" - Andrey Rublev on Wimbledon's stance on Russian and Belarusian athletes, including Victoria Azarenka

The World No. 5 at 2023 Australian Open

Andrey Rublev, Victoria Azarenka and their Russian and Belarusian compatriots have faced dire consequences of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war since February 2022.

While the group of athletes have since been ordered to compete with a neutral flag, Wimbledon went one step further to express their solidarity towards Ukraine and disallowed the athletes from competing in the 2022 tournament.

Rublev, who has publicly advocated peace, is now hoping for a different outcome for the SW19 event in 2023. During his Australian Open press conference, the 25-year-old admitted that he was hopeful of their inclusion and expressed his desire to contend for the Wimbledon title.

"I hope. I don't know. We're all waiting. Hopefully we'll be able to play. I wish, I would like, and I would love to play. Of course, Wimbledon is one of the best tournaments in our sport," he said.