“No titles this year. That's not something I'm used to,” reacted the world No. 1 in press Monday evening at the BNP Paribas Open.

After getting through an awkward exchange where a reporter admitted to presenting a "poor question", Victoria Azarenka was then asked to discuss Venus Williams (having expected the subject to be about Caroline Wozniacki) following her first-round win at Wimbledon Monday.

The 22-year-old is aiming to turn around a poor start to the season, with just two wins in five tour events.

It is understandable that those affected in a serious way by poor air quality wanted to find a culprit. But in attacking today’s top players, they were way off target.

Health Concerns Over Poor Air Quality in Melbourne

The central business district, close to where Melbourne Park is located, recorded overnight hazardous levels of fine particles in the air and the EPA categorized the air quality as “very poor."

A poor 2018 season saw the former world No. 1's ranking drop to No. 20.