Victoria Azarenka questions US Open roof policy after Sloane Stephens defeat
Victoria Azarenka believes the closing of the roof in the second set of her match against Sloane Stephens did provide a change of momentum as the defending champion knocked her out of the competition.
The two-time Grand Slam champion had just broken the American for a 4-3 lead in the second set when organisers decided to close the Arthur Ashe roof amid some rainfall, which led to a brief delay in the main arena.
Azarenka was determined not to use the closure of the roof as an excuse, but questioned why tournament organisers wouldnt close it from the beginning of a match when they are expecting inclement weather.
I mean, of course it was a change of momentum, she said after the 6-3 6-4 third-round defeat.
I wont be sitting here finding excuses. Its just what happens. You just have to accept.
Advertisement Advertisement
I just think from the tournament side, if they expecting the showers, I think it might be better to just close the roof right from the beginning. I think it would just be smarter.
Hopefully they will do it in the future, but, you know. Im not going to be sitting here finding any excuses. Not at all.
Its been a testing couple of years for the Belarusian, who was locked in a lengthy custody battle having given birth to her son Leo, but there were signs that she is returning towards her best form against the world No. 3.
And while the former world No. 1 found it hard to take too many positives in the aftermath of a loss, she believes the future is bright for Victoria Azarenka.
After sitting here after, like, five minutes after a loss, its tough to get any positives in, she added. Its important to just take a moment and really analyze what happened this week.
Today, you know, I played okay. You know, it was just a matter of a few points and those points that I still dont do enough and they cost me the match.
I played against No. 3 player in the world with all the chances in the world. Thats a positive. But sitting here, its not easy and be optimistic, but I will have to force myself to be that way.
In terms of everything that happened, I think, you know, me just playing and me being out there and fighting, today, I think I put on a great fight.
Advertisement Advertisement
Im very happy with the way I approached the match. All that is positive. Being excited to go to the play, being excited to fighting. Right now its all pluses for me. As long as I put in the work in the offseason, Ill be lights out.
More: Tennis
Advertisement Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
