Victoria Azarenka slammed for storming off court at Miami Open - 'Disrespectful'

Victoria Azarenka has been branded "disrespectful" after leaving court just 45 minutes into match with teenager Linda Fruhvirtova at the Miami Open. The world No 16 was trailing 6-3 6-0 before being heard to ask her coach "why am I here?" then bizarrely heading for the locker rooms.

The Belarusian player didn't appear to be injured, and ignored pleas from the umpire to remain at her seat while a trainer was called. Instead she slung her bag over the shoulder, shook hands with the official and walked off while a confused Fruhvirtova tried to fathom what was going on.

It tainted what should have been a landmark day for the 16-year-old, who is yet to play a Grand Slam and is ranked as the world 279. Having already beaten Belgium's Elise Mertens in three sets en route to the third round, she'll now face fifth seed Paula Badosa for a place in the last eight.

Two-time Australian Open winner Azarenka, 32, has since released statement clarifying her actions, saying: I shouldn't have gone on the court today. The last few weeks have been extremely stressful in my personal life. The last match took so much out of me, but I wanted to play in front of a great audience as they helped me pull through my first match.

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"I wanted to go out there and try, but it was a mistake." Azarenka added she would now be taking a break from the sport and would "learn from this." However, her explanation hasn't washed with former profesionnal player turned pundit Daniela Hantuchova.

"The most disrespectful thing about this is how she walked off the court without really giving a reason [for retiring]," she told givemesport.com. "I think the WTA will really