Victoria Azarenka 'nervous' about fans attending French Open

On the same day that the French Open had its capacity reduced for the second consecutive week, former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka admitted that she's apprehensive about playing in front of spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic that's worsening throughout Paris and other parts of France. 

"Obviously, having spectators and playing in front of fans, it's always what I would prefer to do," Azarenka told media members two days before the tournament's main draw starts, per Peter Bodo of ESPN. "But I feel like, as all players, [we] are a little bit nervous about the health situation... [and] having these circumstances."

French Prime Minister Jean Castex declared that the Roland-Garros site can only permit 1,000 spectators a day after the tournament previously planned for 5,000 fans. It's unknown if all 1,000 ticket holders will be grouped inside the main stadium or allowed to roam free throughout the grounds as is the case for a Grand Slam held in a non-pandemic year. 

"If it's only on one court [where fans are allowed], I think it's going to be a little bit weird for other players, Azarenka explained. "I don't know why we're trying something new because obviously we already had one Grand Slam in front of us (The U.S. Open) where it seemed like things worked out well [with spectators prohibited]. I guess we always need to try something new for no reason."

Azarenka, enjoying a career resurgence, fell to Naomi Osaka 6-1, 3-6, 3-6 in the US Open Final in New York. Her best French Open run occurred in 2013 when she lost to Maria Sharapova in a semifinal match.