VICTORIA AZARENKA forfeited her Miami Open last 32 clash with Linda Fruhvirtova after storming off the court mid-match.
The former world No1, 32, was trailing her 16-year-old opponent 6-2 3-0 after just 45 minutes when she grabbed her bag and left.
Victoria Azarenka stormed off the court and forfeited her Miami Open last 32 clash with Linda Fruhvirtova while trailing 6-2 3-0
The umpire pleaded with former Australian Open champion Azarenka to stay.
But the Belarusian was already long gone, leaving Fruhvirtova baffled.
The teenage world No279 initially acted like she would at any change of ends, wrapping an ice towel around her neck.
But after No12 seed Azarenka shook her hand, picked up her bag and marched off, she looked baffled until the umpire officially announced the retirement.
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The umpire had urged Azarenka to stay, shouting after her: “Vika we need to wait”.
But Azarenka – who had earlier shouted ‘why am I here?’ at her coaching team – was in no mood to hang around and refused to look back.
The commentary team called it ‘disrespectful’ and ‘terrible behaviour’ from the former world No1.
Azarenka has form in this department, too – having also stormed off the court due to the ‘freezing’ conditions at the 2020 French Open.
And Fruhvirtova was clearly emotional during her post-match interview as she graciously accepted Azarenka’s withdrawal
Fruhvirtova said: “I saw it wasn’t her best tennis, but of course I didn’t want it to end this way.
“Vika is one of the players I grew up watching and she is definitely the one to look up to.
“I hope that she feels better as soon as possible.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played in such a big stadium and these are the memories I’m going to remember forever.”
Fruhvirtova is enjoying a breakout week in her biggest tournament to date after downing No20 seed Elise Mertens in the second round.
She will now face fifth seed Paula Badosa in the last 16 looking for a spot in the quarter finals.
Fruhvirtova is already the youngest player to reach the last 16 of the Miami Open since 2004 when Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin managed the remarkable feat.
