'In distress': Concerns over 'worrying' Victoria Azarenka moment
Medical officials were forced to rush over to Victoria Azarenka after the star appeared to be struggling to breathe during the warm weather at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Only moments after a young ball kid collapsed on Court 16 during the match between Lloyd Harris and Mikael Torpegaard, the two-time Australian Open champ started struggling in the heat against American Jessica Pegula.
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Azarenka was a set down and a break down before it became clear she was struggling to breathe.
But at 40-0 in her service game, she walked over to the shade before bending over in clear distress.
The medical officials sprinted over to help the Belarusian, before she took a Medical Time Out off court.
Fans immediately became worried for the 12th seed, who has struggled in warm conditions in the past.
Vika struggling a lot with her breathing. She’s now receiving treatment. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/w9oTJboQAC
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) February 9, 2021
Worrying scenes as Azarenka stops play, breathing heavily at 5-7, 2-4 and 40-0 on her serve. Medical staff on court and she will now receive a medical evaluation off court as Jessica Pegula, nearing an upset, waits https://t.co/0whY8Y3Ip6
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) February 9, 2021
Breathing issues for the 2 times AO Champ Victoria Azarenka who was in hard quarantine 2 weeks - she is taking a MOT to be assessed
Pegula - for those who followed World Team Tennis - she was fantastic ! #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/N4Mc7eLHHn— Loli (@LoliLondon) February 9, 2021
Azarenka in distress, bending over on court. Medics run over to her. #AusOpen
— Erik Gudris (@ATNtennis) February 9, 2021
Not looking so rosy for Victoria Azarenka, though. She's a set and a break down to Jessica Pegula and clearly isn't feeling well. She's taken a medical timeout mid-game. Medics ran onto the court as she crouched down at the side of the court and she's now gone off.
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) February 9, 2021
Azarenka has taken a knee in a shaded corner of the stadium.
Two trainers sprinting to her side. #AusOpen— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) February 9, 2021
Azarenka is back on her feet, but is walking to the locker room to receive a medical evaluation.
Vika is serving at 5-7 2-4 40-0— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) February 9, 2021
Despite the incident, Azarenka returned to court and despite losing four points in a row, she was able to hold serve.
However, in a huge upset, Pegula held her nerve to wrap up the match 7-5, 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets so far in the Australian Open.
The temperature was around 22C at Melbourne Park at midday on Tuesday, with the mercury expected to hit 27C.
Ball kid in trouble after collapsing
The temperate was clearly taking a toll for those down on court level after a ball kid collapsed on court 16.
Tennis reporter Jose Morgado shared worrying images of the kid on court with fans flooding him with well wishes.
“Hoping it’s all good,” Morgado wrote.
Tuesday’s action at Melbourne Park kicked off with hardly any spectators in the stands for the second day running.
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