The war in Ukraine is likely to be the reason why 32-year-old Viktoria Asarenka abandoned the game at the Miami Open. The Belarusian was down 6-2 and 3-0 in the third round against 16-year-old tennis prodigy Linda Fruhvirtova when the game came to a close.
Asarenka scolds and demands treatment from the physiotherapist. But suddenly she packs her bag, says goodbye to her opponent and the referee and leaves the field.
“There was an error”
The number 16 in the world then released a statement apologizing. “I shouldn’t have just left the court like that. The last few weeks have been extremely stressful for me. The match demanded so much from me. I really wanted to compete, but it was a mistake.”
At the beginning of March, Azarenka reported on what was happening in Ukraine via Twitter. She said she was “dismayed” by the war. “It is heartbreaking to see how many innocent people have been affected by this violence.”
