Aryna Sabalenka continued her stellar form from Indian Wells into Miami, winning her opening-round match against Ann Li.
It was a comfortable victory for the world number one, who did not let rain delays distract her.
She remained on task and performed as expected to continue her quest for the Sunshine Double.
However, speaking after her win, Aryna Sabalenka did not hold back when discussing the Miami Open organisers’ decision to keep altering her start time.
Aryna Sabalenka stunned by Miami Open scheduling decision
“I was actually shocked that they were considering cancelling my match,” she began, bewildered as she chatted with reporters.
“They were giving me a couple of options of the stadiums, and I was like, what’s the problem for Alcaraz and Fonseca starting later?
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“Because yesterday, the night session started at nine, and then Mirra was playing. So I was actually like really shocked at the idea of, like, even cancelling my match.
“But I just decided to play today. Just so if I win I have a day off and I have time to prepare to recharge and everything, but, yeah, I was actually shocked, to be honest, but I’m happy that they gave me options so I could choose what’s best for me.”
Then asked why she was so shocked, Sabalenka added: “I think I never dealt with something like that, so I think it’s like a first experience. I don’t remember anything like that.
“I just thought like it’s not a big problem for me to play and then for the night session to wait and start a little bit later, but I guess that’s what the tournament tickets are for. This was better for the tournament.
“It’s tricky because Alcaraz was playing, so it’s kind of like, you know, two number ones and what they should do. I’m just happy that they had options.”
Tennishead readers recently predicted whether they think Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina will win the Miami Open, with a clear favourite emerging.
What the Miami Open tournament director said about scheduling decisions before the tournament
Speaking before the event began, James Blake, the Miami Open tournament director, actually spoke about his scheduling plans.
However, this was more in relation to managing the fanbases of Alexandra Eala and Joao Fonseca, the latter of which is relevant considering he was explicitly referenced by Sabalenka.
He admitted: “Yes, harking back last year when I learned my lesson of Fonseca needs to be on stadium, and he will be, yes.
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“I think we’re going to need them to be on centre court because they have so many fans worldwide, and here it’s going to feel like home matches for both of them.”
It seems like Blake is operating out of fear of repeating last year’s mistakes, and Sabalenka suffered because of it.
