"Cake size is what members of the WTA Players' Council really care about" - Tennis fans slam Victoria Azarenka for comment on Madrid Open cake dispute

Tennis fans slam Victoria Azarenka for remarks on Madrid Open cake dispute
Tennis fans slam Victoria Azarenka for remarks on Madrid Open cake dispute

Victoria Azarenka is facing backlash from tennis fans for her comment on the difference in birthday cakes presented to Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka at the Madrid Open.

With Madrid finalists Alcaraz and Sabalenka celebrating their birthdays on May 5, both players received cakes from the tournament. However, fans were quick to point out the considerable difference in the sizes of the two cakes.

While Alcaraz was honored with a large multi-tiered cake from the event, Sabalenka received a much smaller cake in comparison.

Azarenka chimed in on the matter and commented that the difference in cake sizes reflected the treatment meted out to ATP and WTA players.

"Couldn't be more accurate on the treatment," she tweeted.

But several tennis fans have expressed disappointment at Azarenka's comments given her position as a member of the WTA Players' Council. Many have stated that they expected her to focus on more significant matters.

Some fans also cited her past disagreement with Iga Swiatek over the WTA's treatment of Ukrainian players, and questioned why she was more concerned with birthday cake size than offering support to Ukrainian players affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"Azarenka was so defensive when Swiatek criticized WTA for doing “not enough” to support Ukrainian players amidst Russia’s war. Azarenka hasn’t yet specified what WTA did in favor of Ukrainians. The cake size is what the member of the WTA Players' Council really cares about," one fan posted.
"You dared to speak against Iga Świątek for supporting Ukraine, and as a player council member this stupidity is what you care about? Just happy that Aga Radwańska ended your pathetic reign as a slam champion," another fan chimed in.

Another fan urged the former World No. 1 to use her position as a WTA Players' Council member to help Simona Halep overcome the delay in her hearing instead of "crying over a cake."

"Please look into the simona halep issue instead of crying over a cake. afterall you are WTA players council member and she's getting her career destroyed," the fan tweeted.

Here are some more fan reactions to Victoria Azarenka's comments:


How Victoria Azarenka has fared during the clay season so far

Victoria Azarenka at the 2023 Miami Open
Victoria Azarenka at the 2023 Miami Open

Victoria Azarenka began her 2023 claycourt season with a win over Sloane Stephens at the Charleston Open. The former World No. 1 fought back after losing the first set to secure a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.

However, she was unable to progress further in the tournament as Anna Kalinskaya caused an upset, defeating the sixth seed 6-4, 7-6(5).

Azarenka then competed at the WTA 1000 Madrid Open, where she lost her opening match against Alycia Parks, a player who was making her tournament debut. Parks was clinical in her performance, winning 6-2, 7-5(5) to notch up her fourth consecutive victory over a Top-20 opponent.

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