Azarenka loses 5 Match Points to Sloane Stephens, hitting the ball around in disgust and then takes a double injury timeout (10 minutes) before Stephens serve to stay in the match and then broke Stephens serve to win.
When asked why she took the timeout, what the injury was, she said she couldn't breathe and said it was almost one of the biggest chokes.
Absolute disgrace that she did this and even more of a disgrace that the umpire did nothing, leaving an inexperienced player sitting in 40 degree heat for 10 minutes whilst Azarenka collected her nerves.
It's not the first time Azarenka has brought shame on the game of tennis, the biggest shame is the weak leadership tennis officials demonstrate these days.
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The shame of tennis
comment by WOW (U14335)
posted on 24/1/13
Gamesmanship. It is quite common these days. I think that the only way to counter this is to take a counter time out. Sloane should have taken a time out as well when Aza came back. At the same time I am glad that Shriekapova (one trick femlae pony) lost.
comment by Chabillionaire (U16955)
posted on 25/1/13
What's the umpire meant to do? Is he a fully qualified Dr?
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted on 25/1/13
He's meant to say a medical time out is 3 minutes not 10 minutes.
posted on 25/1/13
if it's a real problem, they can just get the doctor's to submit a statement certifiying the nature of the injury. it's down the authorities to clamp down on it isnt it ?
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted on 25/1/13
Absolutely, the authorities have little appetite to make the top players toe the line I'm afraid.
I used to have a lot of respect for Azarenka despite her ridiculous horse impressions, but after the Radwanska match I lost some respect and what little was left evaporated after this shameful episode.
comment by Whip/Elneny #WengerOut (U6563)
posted on 26/1/13
She would have won anyway, who cares.
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