'Shambles': Ash Barty and Novak Djokovic in 'shocking' tennis farce
The tennis world has taken aim at the 'double standards' at the Italian Open after women's World No.1 Ash Barty played in the rain, while ATP World No.1 Novak Djokovic didn't return to court.
Barty made the 'surprising' call to retire, while leading American sensation Coco Gauff, in her Italian Open quarter-final showdown.
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Barty was clearly in discomfort after sporting a compression band on her right arm and retired in the second set in a tough battle.
But fans became frustrated during the match after it was interrupted numerous times due to rainfall.
It took just 20 minutes for play to be halted due to drizzle in the first set.
The pair again had to come off after just one game as more rain arrived and, following another 15-minute interval, they returned with Barty not at her best but still having enough nous to take the first set in 50 minutes.
Barty retired only three games later.
But Barty's encounter appeared in contrast to World No.1 Djokovic's clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Unfortunately, Friday's remaining action in Rome is cancelled due to rain 🌧😔#IBI21 pic.twitter.com/qhP1RFjYh4
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 14, 2021
Djokovic was trailing against the in-form Tsitsipas, but could be seen waiting for the chair umpire to stop the match due to the rain.
The pair left the court and never emerged again as the match was suspended.
This prompted uproar within the tennis world after an 'inexplicable' difference in fortunes for the women and men's tour.
Fans were rightfully concerned over player welfare and questioned the decision to allow the women to keep playing.
Some fans even suggested Barty appeared justifiably 'irate' she had to return in the difficult conditions where she risked further injury.
The only question that should be addressed is ‘Why were Barty and Gauff allowed to continue playing in the rain, while Djokovic and Tsitsipas didn’t lift their racquets ?’ @WTA and @atptour need to address things in a united fashion, and player welfare is paramount.
— Tony Hardy (@aussietony77) May 14, 2021
Barry is protecting her chances for RG she’s also mad that the women had to play in the rain while Djokovic got his wish and remained inside he’s still not on the court .
— Teresa Ganim (@henleyurban) May 14, 2021
Why did Roddick say this? Did Nole ask for the match to be stopped? Rain shouldn't be an element in tennis. Any player who questions playing in the rain is right. Barty had it with the nonsense today and left. If Djokovic didnt need the practice I wouldn't mind seeing the same
— lisa (@lisa00542583) May 14, 2021
What’s with the double standards in the Tennis world !?!
Djokovich & Tsitsipas don’t have to play in the rain but the women
#1 Ash Barty & #34 CoCo Gauff have to continue in same conditions ?!? 🤷🏽♀️
Really in 2021— WisdomsWitness (@WisdomsWitness) May 14, 2021
Unbelievable that the World No 1 Ash Barty had to come back & play twice in the rain, then retire as it really was a shambles getting them on/off/on/off. Yet somehow Djokovic did not have to do the same?? Double standards for sure.
— .starfire84 (@starfire841) May 14, 2021
Let's be honest Barty just go tired of getting jerked around by the tournament's inexplicable rain delay/resumption decisions and said f this
— Ruusugiorgi (@ruusugiorgi) May 14, 2021
Can someone please explain to me the reason why Coco and Barty would be on court playing for well over a half hour and yet the covers aren’t even off the main court?? Oh, other than Joker being a whiny baby about the rain of course🤔🙄 #RomeMasters
— Jon Zondervan (@jonzondervan) May 14, 2021
@CandiceHare_
It seems me the Gauff/Barty match that restarted after rain delay was done without consent both players. Gauff esp was slipping all over the place on points.
But they did not resumed play for Djokovic/Tsitsipas match. Seems unfair to me.
Your thoughts?— Sudzy (@Sudzy_Wudzy) May 14, 2021
The men get to delay play due to rain and cold, but Barty has no choice but to withdraw after being forced to resume play in terrible conditions. #barty #gauff #wta #italianopen #equality
— Kelly V (@KellyV99297489) May 14, 2021
While Barty retired injured, Djokovic will resume 6-4, 2-1 down to Tsitsipas in Rome.
Barty's addresses injury scare
Barty looked like she would be surging into the semi-final of the Italian Open when she suddenly retired, despite leading Gauff.
Following her match Barty, insisting that pulling out was a precaution, said she was confident that she'd be "good to go" in a fortnight when she sets out to win at Roland Garros as she did in 2019.
"It's disappointing no doubt but it was important that I listened to my body and gave it time to rest and recover and make sure that in a couple of weeks time I'm 100% fit for Roland Garros," said Barty.
"It became worse while we were playing. The challenging thing is to make the decision to stop. It's the thing that I hate the most, not being able to finish a tennis match. It's not in my makeup, not what I like to do.
"But the pain was becoming too severe, so it was important to try and do the right thing."
Barty has been in excellent form ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year.
But the injury could have been signs of wear and tear on clay after her recent hectic programme which has seen her play 17 matches in 24 days in three countries.
with AAP
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