Two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka has called for rule change where players don’t have to disclose details about their health after crashing out of the Australian Open.
The 12th seed fell 7-5, 6-4, to American player Jessica Pegula to make it the second time in the past three years she has lost in the first round of Melbourne. During the match there were concerns raised over Azarenka’s fitness who had to take a medical timeout during the second set due to issues with her breathing. She was also seen using an inhaler during one of the changeovers.
Despite the visible issue causing Azarenka discomfort, she declined to elaborate on what the exact problem was during her press conference. Arguing that players should have a right to privacy. At the time of her match the temperature was in the range of 22C.
“I don’t really know why we’re getting asked about medical conditions because all this is going out on the internet after for people to talk about, to judge about,” she said.
“I truly don’t ever understand that rule of why, when somebody is sick, injured or whatever, they have to give their medical reason out in the world. I think that should be changed — unless players do want to talk about that, then they can. But it shouldn’t be a mandatory requirement for people to talk about their health issues.”
The former world No.1 was one of 72 players who had to go into a hard quarantine ahead of the tournament after being declared a contact case of somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19. Azarenka admits the quarantine has impacted her form but she refuses to blame it fully. On the first day of the tournament Angelique Kerber also said the strict quarantine affected her performance.
“To try to sit here and find an excuse because of quarantine, and this is just something that, as I said, it is what it is,” said Azarenka. “I am disappointed that I wasn’t able to perform [like] I knew I could. That’s a bit hard to accept today because I know I can play better, a lot better. At the same time, I feel that I’ve tried everything I can to be able to be prepared, but unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out for me.”
Azarenka says the biggest issue for her during the quarantine was not being able to have any fresh air over the 14-day period. The Belarusian was required to stay in her room at all times and couldn’t travel to a practice court.
“I‘m not going to sit here and should I have come (to Australia), should I have not come. It’s a waste of time. I came here. Whatever happened, happened. I’m here today. I lost my match. Life goes on. That’s it,” she concluded.
It is the first time Azarenka has lost her opening match at a tournament since the Lexington Open last August.
