Aryna Sabalenka’s second-round clash against Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova was suspended on Wednesday due to poor light and slippery conditions, a decision that left the Belarusian seemingly frustrated. She subsequently engaged in a heated exchange with the officials, arguing to continue play, but her pleas were ultimately denied.
As the situation caught attention in the tennis world, former American tennis player Andy Roddick also gave his take. The 42-year-old suggested Masarova intentionally sought the suspension after losing the first set.
Andy Roddick Says Aryna Sabalenka’s Opponent ‘Wanted the Exit Door’ During Berlin 2R Clash
Sabalenka started strong, taking the first set 6-2 and appearing to have the momentum. Following this, Masarova requested a suspension, citing slippery conditions, which the officials eventually granted. Sabalenka, eager to continue, disagreed with the decision and engaged in a tense exchange with the supervisor.
Former US Open champion Roddick also shared his thoughts on the incident in an interview with the Tennis Channel recently. The American claimed that Masarova wanted the ‘exit door,’ knowing that the conditions favored the World No. 1.
“She just wanted the exit door because what was happening out there favored Masarova zero. It’s a tough call for Masarova because you are not only protecting yourself, pi**ing Sabalenka off, but then it affects the entire draw and the entire tournament, right? They’re going to have to wedge in one more match. Sabalenka is obviously not someone that you can just hide on a side court when the match starts there, it has to finish there,” he said.
Aryna Sabalenka’s opening match in Berlin was suspended after her opponent Rebeka Masarova complained of wet grass.
Was this the right call? #TCLive pic.twitter.com/A8xUhNSiXG
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 18, 2025
Roddick later questioned the daylight excuse and recalled how he once halted a Wimbledon match to avoid playing another set, not due to conditions.
“There was about an hour of daylight left. I did this one time, and it was purely because I didn’t want to play another set, not because it was wet. I did that at Wimbledon. I was up two sets. The guy (opponent) came back, won two sets, and I just walked off the court, and there wasn’t much they could do. So I think Sabalenka is absolutely right. I was wrong then; Masarova was wrong today,” he added.
Notably, Sabalenka arrived in Berlin on the back of an impressive clay-court campaign, capped by a runner-up finish at the 2025 French Open. Her second-round Berlin Tennis Open encounter against the Swiss will resume on Thursday, June 19.
Andy Roddick Backed Aryna Sabalenka Amid Berlin Tennis Open Controversy
Roddick said Sabalenka’s argument was valid, noting shadows and slight slipperiness late in the day aren’t decisive. He later noted that Masarova wouldn’t have stopped play if she were leading.
“Sabalenka’s point was sound. I don’t know that the sides matter as much. Maybe if there’s a tree covering or something that we are not seeing. But Masarova, there is no chance she walks off, she is winning right there,” he said.
More: Aryna Sabalenka Owns Up to Her ‘Completely Unprofessional’ Behavior Against Coco Gauff in Paris After Unceasing Backlash
After a dominant run on clay, Sabalenka will look to carry her strong form into the grass-court season. She has yet to win a title on grass and has never reached the Wimbledon final, falling in the semifinals to Karolina Pliskova in 2021 and Ons Jabeur in 2023. The Belarusian currently boasts an impressive 40-7 record in 2025 and will look to build on it during the grass-court season.
