“This is Getting Ridiculous” – Victoria Azarenka Fumes at Match officials and Walks off from French Open 2020 First-round

The conditions at the French Open 2020 delivered as promised in the few minutes itself. Victoria Azarenka and Danka Kovinic took to Court Suzanne-Lenglen in extremely windy conditions in one of the opening matches of the French Open 2020.

It then started raining as well as the players stayed on the court, much to Azarenka’s frustration. She held serve for a 2-1 lead and asked the chair umpire to look into the matter.

“You guys are joking right? What are we doing here? This is getting a little bit ridiculous. I’m not sitting here because I’m going to get frozen. It’s 8 degrees. I live in Florida, I’m used to hot weather,” Azarenka said to the umpire and the officials, as the players waited for a decision.

“What’s the point of sitting here like ducks? 8C, I live in Florida,” Azarenka added.

Azarenka and Kovinic both kept their jackets on after the warm-up and as the match began, indicating how cold the conditions were. The match was on serve, but the challenge due to windy conditions was visible.

Victoria Azarenka walks off the court

Victoria Azarenka then walked off the court, leaving her opponent and the chair umpire surprised. All other courts continued to host matches.

Tournament official Claire Wood also addressed Azarenka on the matter.

The officials eventually made the call to suspend play on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Meanwhile, Ajla Tomljanovic and 20th seed Maria Sakkari continued playing on Court 14. Sakkari sailed to a 6-0 lead in less than 30 minutes.

Drama on other courts as well

Margarita Gasparyan also showed her frustration at the officials, and she was leading opponent Elise Mertens in the first set. Elise Mertens also looked unhappy with what was going on.

Meanwhile, David Goffin and Jannik Sinner competed on Court Philippe-Chatrier in the first-ever main-draw match played under the roof there.

Women’s singles top seed Simona Halep will open her campaign on Court Philippe-Chatrier later in the evening. The big match of the day is between three-time Grand Slam champions Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray on Court Philippe-Chatrier as well.

Another exciting match between teenage sensation Coco Gauff and ninth seed Johanna Konta is also scheduled for Day 1.