Maria Sharapova under fire for lengthy bathroom break against Ash Barty

Maria Sharapova has responded to questions about a controversial bathroom break in her match against Ash Barty that prompted loud boos from the crowd.

Russia’s Maria Sharapova.

Maria Sharapova has been slammed by tennis fans after taking a lengthy bathroom break in her fourth round loss to Australia’s Ash Barty.

After claiming the first set 6-4, the Russian lost the second 1-6 then exited the court to head to the bathroom.

She was gone for some time and was greeted by a raucous boos from the Rod Laver Arena crowd when finally emerged and ran back on to the court.

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Sharapova was then booed again by some sections of the crowd, despite the bathroom break being within the rules, as she took her place on the baseline for the first point of the deciding set.

Maria Sharapova had a tough day against Ash Barty.

Maria Sharapova has refused to comment on being booed by the Rod Laver Arena crowd after taking an extended toilet break

A frosty Sharapova was asked about the crowd’s reaction following her epic three-set loss to Australia’s Ash Barty.

“What do you want me to say to that question?,” Sharapova said.

When pressed again, the Russian said: “I think that’s a silly question.”

The No.30 seed then refused to answer a further question on the topic.

Some fans believe the move was tactical, to throw Barty off her game after she gathered serious momentum, and labelled it “terrible sportsmanship”.

If it was, it didn’t work. Barty stormed to a 4-0 lead in the deciding set before taking it 6-4 to win the match and advance to the quarter-finals.

Anytime Sharapova loses a set, she takes a very long bathroom break — theoretically within rules, but terrible sportsmanship. Indicative of a larger problem. #AusOpen #AusOpen18

— Soman Chainani (@SomanChainani) January 20, 2019

Maria Sharapova lost herself on the way back from the bathroom #AusOpen

— Zaza (@acethatball) January 20, 2019

Sharapova takes a momentum break - sorry bathroom break - after Barty wins the 2nd set #AusOpen

— Brett Thomas (@Sports_Brett) January 20, 2019

Sharapova should be ducted a game for this bathroom break bullshit#AusOpen

— Doomacheal (@DoomacheaI) January 20, 2019

Yeah that wasnt a tactical move by Sharapova to take that long to go to the bathroom.

— Mel (@Mel_Johnson_01) January 20, 2019