Former world number one Victoria Azarenka snapped back at questions over her health after she suffered breathing difficulties in a shock straight-sets first round exit at the Australian Open. A distressed 12th seed needed two medical timeouts in the second set before losing 7-5, 6-4, but said players should not have to speak about health issues. 

Azarenka, who endured a hard hotel quarantine on arrival in Melbourne, used an inhaler but gamely fought on before succumbing 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 39 minutes. "I don't really know why we're getting asked about medical conditions," said the Belarusian, who won the title at Melbourne Park in 2012 and 2013. "It shouldn't be a mandatory requirement for people to talk about their health issues.