Victoria Azarenka quit Match Against Fruhvirtova in Miami Open

Victoria Azarenka quit Match Against Fruhvirtova in Miami Open. 

After retiring against 16-year-old Czech Linda Fruhvirtova at the Miami Open on Sunday, Victoria Azarenka said her personal life had been “very difficult” in recent weeks and that she should not have participated.

When the 32-year-old Azarenka informed the chair umpire that she was done and departed the court, wildcard Fruhvirtova was leading 6-2 3-0.

Azarenka later remarked in a statement, “I shouldn’t have gone on the court today.”

“In my personal life, the previous two weeks have been tremendously stressful. The last match had taken a lot out of me, but I wanted to play in front of a good crowd because they had helped me get through my first match.

“I wanted to give it a shot, but I made a mistake.”

In 2016-17, Azarenka, who won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, took a year off to give birth to her first child. Her career was also affected by a breakup with her spouse and a custody fight over her son Leo that didn’t end until 2018.

During her loss against Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina at Indian Wells this month, the Belarusian, who was playing on Tour without her country’s name or flag due to sanctions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, broke down in tears.

In her previous round in the WTA 1000 event in Miami, she defeated Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a final set tiebreak.

“I’m hoping to take a rest and then return,” Azarenka continued.

“I normally look forward to the competition’s challenge and pressure, but it was too much today.” I have to learn from this, and I will.”