VIDEO: Azarenka breaks down in tears mid-match against Rybakina

Victoria Azarenka was overcome with emotion during her Indian Wells defeat to Elena Rybakina as she broke down in tears midway through her match.

Rybakina defeated the Belarusian star 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Masters Series tournament but Azarenka’s tears caused quite the stir on social media.

At 2-2, 40-40 in the second set, Azarenka hit a double fault and started to cry, prompting the umpire came to check on her.

‘Do you need help?’ the umpire asked to which Azarenka only replied, three times: ‘I’m sorry.’

Rybakina then approached the umpire to find out what was going on.

‘I was just checking that she was okay,’ said the umpire.

‘Okay, but is this normal?’ Rybakina reportedly questioned.

‘No, it’s not normal. It’s the first time this has happened.’

It’s unclear if Azarenka’s tears were brought on by physical pain – her shoulder was heavily strapped – or whether she was suffering mentally.

The former world No.1 is competing under a neutral flag this week following the International Tennis Federation’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from wearing their colours amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Azarenka posted a powerful message on Twitter condeming the ongoing conflict and calling for the war to end.