World Tennis

Copyright AFP 2012. Published Date: 24/02/2012 02:24:00 AM
Tags: Tennis,WTA,UAE,Radwanska,Azarenka
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World number six Agnieszka Radwanska launched a verbal attack on Victoria Azarenka, the world's leading female player, after reaching the semi-finals of the Dubai Open on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Pole said she was"angry" and had lost respect for the superbly in-form Belarussian, alleging that Azarenka's behaviour in Doha lastweek had not been good for the image of the game.
Radwanska appeared to be referring to Azarenka's hobbling and wincing between rallies during parts of their semi-final match, whilst still moving well enough during the rallies to secure a solid straight sets win.
It follows Radwanska's criticisms of grunting in the women's game last month after losing to Azarenka in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Radwanska's latest comments came when she was asked in a press conference here whether she had been annoyed at the end of last week's loss in Doha.
She replied: "Well, to be honest, I don't think this is worth a comment. But I think after this match....just lost a lot of respect. That's it.
"If you do this in the match, if anyonedidn't see the match, I think it's just aquick look on YouTube and you'll know what was going on," she continued.
The questioner responded by saying that he had not been seeking for Radwanska to criticize another player,but she continued anyway.
"Yeah, I was angry because I don't think this is the great image for the women's tennis, what was going on there," she added. "So, yeah, unfortunately."
Youtube clips show Radwanska offering a peremptory handshake to Azarenka with no eye contact at the end of the match, and include a TV commentator saying that Azarenka's behavior had affected her opponent's focus.
However Azarenka contention that her ankle had been painful was lent weight by her decision on Wednesdayto withdraw from the Dubai Open to allow more time for it to heal.
Radwanska's critical remarks in Australia came after a three-set loss toAzarenka, whose hooting and shrieking while striking the ball has been attracting criticism for some time.
Though Radwanska suggested she had got used to this, she neverthelessused post-match interviews after her loss to Azarenka to criticize Maria Sharapova's shriek. She described thisas "pretty annoying" and "just too loud".
"Of course everybody can make some noise. This is tennis," Radwanska said.
"But I think it's just too loud. I don't think it's very necessary to scream that loud. So if they (the WTA) want to do something, why not?"
During some of Azarenka's matches in Melbourne, spectators mimicked her noise, and the host broadcaster, Channel 7, produced a "Whoo! meter"to measure it.
Although Radwanska is at career-highranking, she is more than 2,000 pointsbehind Sharapova, who is number two in the world, and more than 3,700 behind Azarenka at number one.
However Radwanska can climb one place to number five, above US Open champion Sam Stosur, if she wins the Dubai Open title this week. On Friday she plays Jelena Jankovic, the former world number one from Serbia in the semi-finals.
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Quote from Mary

Oh come one, so Radwanska is trying to say that Azarenka simulated her injury to unconcentrate her !? it's just ridiculous

Yes, but maybe she is just tired of losing to Vika all the time and jelous of her succes

But I like that its some bitchfights and rivalry in WTA again

Btw, Radwanska and Woz is very good friends, and so is Azarenka and Woz, or at least they have been. It makes this a bit strange, they should be friends.