Illegal coaching accusation leaves Azarenka amused
london — Victoria Azarenka was anything but amused when Kim Clijsters accused her of benefiting from “illegal coaching” from her players’ box during her nail-biting third-round victory over Britain’s Heather Watson on Friday.
Clijsters, commentating on the match for the BBC, made the observation after spotting some gestures made by Azarenka’s coach Michael Joyce during the 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win.
Azarenka laughed sarcastically before declaring: “I honestly don’t know what people are talking about, because I’m one of the players who rarely looks at the box. If that was coaching, I guess I missed it.
“I just feel that it’s sometimes an unfair comment because we see a lot of players — I’m not going to name who — having conversations with their boxes,” added the Belarussian who is on a comeback trail after giving birth to her son Leo.
“So if my coach did something or did not, obviously I missed it, which is too bad. I mean illegal coaching sounds like he’s done something criminal. It’s, like, come on.” Watson did not notice anything untoward during the two-hour thriller but both she and Azarenka agreed that the WTA Tour should do away with the policy of allowing on-court coaching on the women’s circuit.
U“It’s weird because we are allowed to have coaching in WTA (events) and not here. I don’t really care so much,” said Azarenka.
“Even on the WTA events I rarely call my coach. I still feel you should figure it out yourself.” Watson shared that sentiment. “I actually would prefer that we didn’t have the coaching on court rule. I think it’s better if we figure it out ourselves, plus the men don’t have it. I don’t know why we should,” said the 102nd ranked Briton. —