Aryna Sabalenka has revealed her shock over the scheduling of her Miami Open second-round match against Ann Li. The world No. 1’s match had to be moved from the main Stadium court to the Butch Buchholz court because several matches had been rescheduled due to the weather.
Sabalenka criticized the treatment she received from the Miami Open organizers and felt that the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Joao Fonseca match got priority.
Aryna Sabalenka Criticizes Miami Open Tournament Organizers
Play at the Miami Open had to be suspended on a number of occasions on Friday due to the weather, and Sabalenka’s match was moved to the smaller Butch Buchholz court due to time constraints. She later revealed that she was given the choice to either play on a different court or have her match rescheduled.
The Belarusian chose the former option but felt disappointed that the night session wasn’t extended instead.
“I was actually shocked that they were considering canceling my match, or they were giving me a couple of options for the stadiums. I was like, ‘But what’s the problem [if] Alcaraz and Fonseca start later, because yesterday, the night session started at nine. Then Mirra [Andreeva] was playing,” she said during her post-match press conference.
Alcaraz’s potential match against Fonseca was promoted days in advance, alongside Sabalenka’s day match on Friday and Jannik Sinner’s day match on Saturday. The men’s No. 1 was allotted the night session. For context, the tournament’s director, James Blake, had assured that Brazil’s Fonseca and Filipina Alexandra Eala, two of tennis’ rising stars, would enjoy preferential treatment given their star power in the region.
“I actually was really shocked at the idea of canceling my match. But I just decided to play just so if I win, I have a day off and have time to prepare and recharge. I think I have never dealt with something like that. I think it’s like a first experience. I don’t remember anything like that. I thought it’s not a big problem for me to play and the night session to start a little later. But I guess that’s what was better for the tournament,” she added.
Despite her frustration, Sabalenka was happy that fans with tickets to the Butch Buchholz court got to watch her in action. “It’s tricky because Alcaraz was playing. So it was two No. 1s and what should they do? I’m just happy they had options.”
Ann Li Tests Sabalenka in Miami Open Second Round
In her opening match at the Miami Open, Sabalenka was tested by Li and had to dig deep to come out on top in a 1-hour, 42-minute match.
Li fired six aces and saved 12 of 15 break points. In addition, the American won 80 points overall, compared to Sabalenka’s 81. But the 27-year-old ultimately managed to claim a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 6-4 win.
MORE: Aryna Sabalenka’s Center Court Plea Could Put Pressure on Miami Open Organizers
Sabalenka has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, losing just one of her 19 matches so far. She won the title in Brisbane and made the final of the Australian Open, losing to Elena Rybakina in three sets.
But she wasn’t to be denied at Indian Wells and managed to get revenge on Rybakina, winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) to secure her first BNP Paribas Open title. Now at the Miami Open, she seeks to successfully defend her title and will face Caty McNally in the third round.
