It took us a while to actually believe that this happened—but it did. On Saturday during Maria Sharapova’s very tense, very dramatic three-set loss to Ana Ivanovic, the Russian apparently took great offense to Ivanovic’s medical timeout in the final set, going so far as to tap her arm with her racquet and yell to the umpire “Check her blood pressure” after double-faulting in a crucial game late in the set.
Video: Ivanovic Hits Dazzling Forehand Winner in Cincinnati
Here’s what happened:
After looking wobbly, Ivanovic stopped play to consult with a physician during the second game of the third set—a game which Sharapova eventually won—and doctors decided to check her blood pressure for precautionary reasons.
“I was really feeling nauseous,” Ivanovic would later say. “I think I ate something bad today. When my coach was coming out, I kept telling him I don't feel good, like my stomach is really upset. Then it really build up in the third set and I was not feeling fine.”
By the time Ivanovic returned to play she showed no signs of illness.
Sharapova, who built a break lead then saw it evaporate after a double fault on the break point that is shown in the video, apparently was bothered by what she perceived as gamesmanship by Ivanovic, and though she didn’t call her out in press (directly), it was apparent that the Russian wasn’t buying that Ivanovic had a real injury.
Here’s what she had to say (actual press conference transcript via ASAP Sports):
Q. What were your thoughts on the time that she took early in the third set?
SHARAPOVA: I never actually got a clear answer on what it was, but, I mean, I don't know. Could have been something like an anxiety or something. I'm not really sure what you take blood pressure for. We played a pretty long point afterwards and she seemed to be doing well. Not really sure what was going on there.
Q. ESPN has some video of you tapping your shoulder and saying, Check for blood pressure middle of the third set. Were you angry or put off by what she had done?
SHARAPOVA: It was just a strange timing. I'm not sure kind of how it happened. Just kind of came out of nowhere. Just don't know what to do in that situation, because you either sit down, are they going to take a medical timeout, but then they don't and you got to get up and then you got to serve and it's 15 All. The timing was a bit strange, but she looked okay.
Q. You think if they take a medical timeout mid game they should forfeit that game?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't know. I don't make the rules. That sounds a bit silly, but I don't know. After a minute she was good, but before that she wasn't. Must've been something that was anxious or anxiety. Only thing I can think of really.
Q. Does that distract you or put you off?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think a won that game. But, no, obviously it adds something to the game. All of a sudden there is an interruption. You don't know what's going on. Is it an injury? And then you don't get an answer. I don't think they even know. That's the tricky part, I guess.
The biggest talking point about this whole issue (other than did Sharapova really say what it looks like she said?) is: Should players be allowed to take medical timeouts during games, and if they do, should they incur a penalty—such as forfeiting the game, so that we know they aren’t gaming the system?
Tell us what you think in the comments...
Ivanovic won the match, but from the looks of things, the debate—and the rivalry between these top ten foes—will linger on for a while.
H/T to Courtney Nguyen of SI for the Instagram