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Berlin Open: Aryna Sabalenka Disputes Chair Umpire’s Controversial Decision

Wendi Oliveros Written by Sports EditorWendi Oliveros
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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has found herself involved in a controversial officiating call in her first match back after her French Open loss to Coco Gauff.  Sabalenka’s opponent Rebeka Masarova complained that the grass courts were becoming slick so the umpire suspended play for the day.  Aryna Sabalenka won the first set 6-2 when the match was stopped.

Masarova pleaded her case to the umpire, and he sided with her.  With a one set lead, Sabalenka wanted to continue play.  She did not feel as though the court was slick and objected to the decision.

When it appeared that it was not going to be reversed, she shook her head, walked away from the umpire, picked up her bag, and left the stadium.

It was the last match of the day, and the sun was no longer shining on the court.  Many argue Masarova was looking for a reset instead of having a problem with the actual court.

Aryna Sabalenka Has Been On Other Side Recently

Sabalenka was recently involved in a similar situation at the Madrid Open against Marta Kostyuk.  She asked for play to be stopped due to rain after missing her first serve and before attempting her second serve.  Kostyuk was upset at the timing of the stoppage in the midst of the point.

Tennis has not hard and fast rules to govern these situations.  It is up to the discretion of the chair umpire.

Sabalenka Does Not Want More Controversy

Some tennis fans were not happy with Aryna Sabalenka after her loss to Coco Gauff in Paris.  She was emotional, and her words were not entirely gracious when it came to her opponent.  Sabalenka was fuming at herself over the 70 unforced errors in the match, but she said that Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff.  Coco Gauff handled the situation with class and wrote it off to post-match frustration.

Sabalenka has since walked back the comments and apologized to Gauff.

Wendi Oliveros Written by Sports EditorWendi Oliveros
Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.
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