Former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka has voiced her anger at French Open officials as her first round match came to a halt after just three games played.
The 10th seed entered the Suzanne Lenglen wearing a coat as the rain fell steadily on what was also a cold and windy day. From the onset both Azarenka and her opponent, Danka Kovinić, struggled on court with the conditions. After three holds of serves Azarenka demanded to speak with the tournament supervisor as the rain got harder but the umpire didn’t stop the match.
“You guys are not playing so you have no idea what the conditions are. I’m down to play whatever but this is getting ridiculous,” she said to tournament official Claire Wood.
Wood, who was waiting for further instruction from the tournament referee, pleaded with Azarenka to wait a bit longer on the court to see if the rain would pass. However the two-time Australian Open champion was having none of it.
“I’m not sitting here because I am going to get frozen. It’s eight degrees, I live in Florida and I am used to hot weather,” she complained.
Continuing to voice her anger, Azarenka then asked Kovinic if she was happy sitting on the court and awaiting further instruction in which the Montenegrin replied ‘no.’ Resulting in both players walking off before they were technically allowed to do so. Although it is unlikely that such an action would result in either of them getting disqualified with the argument being remaining on the court posed an injury risk.
“It’s ridiculous, it’s too cold. What’s the point? We’re sitting here like ducks,” Azarenka said before leaving the court.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year’s French Open has been moved from the end of May until now. The weather forecast for the coming days consists of intermittent rain showers with Court Phillipe Chartier being the only one to have a roof.
