Former world primary Victoria Azarenka believes the biting cold and steady rain at Roland Garros might trigger critical harm after being pressured to “sit like a duck” in climate circumstances she blasted as “ridiculous” in her French Open first spherical tie. The 31-year-old 10th seed eased previous Danka Kovinic, the world quantity 74 from Montenegro, 6-1, 6-2 in simply over an hour in a tie performed out on an virtually crowd-free Court docket Suzanne Lenglen on account of coronavirus restrictions. The US Open runner-up had been sad when rain fell steadily within the first set, including to the distress of enjoying in 10 levels (50F).
“That is getting just a little ridiculous. It is eight levels. I am not ready,” mentioned Azarenka, refusing to hold round courtside “sitting like geese” because the supervisor got here out to examine circumstances.
“It is too chilly. I dwell in Florida, I am used to sizzling climate.”
After simply 15 minutes, play was suspended.
Nonetheless, the Belarusian regained her composure when the match resumed even when she did full it carrying black leggings and a tracksuit prime.
She is going to face 40-year-old Venus Williams or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova for a spot within the final 32.
“I’m glad to get it completed so I can watch the others wrestle on this climate and rain,” mentioned Azarenka.
Later, she instructed reporters that she agreed with 12-time champion Rafael Nadal’s perception that the chilly circumstances of enjoying within the autumn, slightly than the match’s conventional Might-June slot, in addition to the heavier balls, introduced recent challenges.
“Does it enhance the danger of gamers getting injured? Completely, I feel that it does. However what is going on to occur, I do not know. I do not actually need to give it some thought,” she mentioned.
“I feel after the match there must be some actual good suggestions and explanations and conversations with gamers, that is for a reality.”
Regardless of her frustrations, Azarenka believes it was the suitable resolution to go-ahead with the French Open 4 months later than deliberate in an eerie ambiance not helped by a every day restrict of simply 1,000 followers on the positioning.
“I feel it is a difficult query, it truly is. I do not know if I’ve by no means actually performed in September in Paris. I have been right here in October and I knew that it wasn’t the perfect circumstances to play tennis,” she mentioned.
“I feel that the unlucky half generally with the French Open is that there isn’t any communications with gamers or the participant council, so that you type of simply make resolution with out consulting.
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“Do I feel it is higher that the match is cancelled? I would not notably say so as a result of I do consider that I need to play.
“Additionally I feel lower-ranked gamers and doubles gamers have been hit fairly laborious financially with the scenario, so it is undoubtedly a terrific alternative to have the ability to have the match.”
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