2023-06-06 21:04:07
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka surprisingly distanced herself from ruler Alexander Lukashenko following a controversial end to her politically explosive quarterfinals. At her first press conference following two media boycotts at the French Open, the 25-year-old tennis star spoke out once more following six days on political issues. “I don’t support the war, which means that I don’t support Lukashenko,” said the world number two.
Previously, Sabalenka had caused a stir when she was waiting for her opponent at the net following the 6: 4, 6: 4 over the Ukrainian Jelina Switolina – even if she had previously stated that she would not shake hands with opponents from Russia and Belarus. Switolina was booed by parts of the audience.
Aryna Sabalenka (right) waits in vain for the handshake with Elina Switolina.
Foto: Clive Brunskill (Getty Images)
“I don’t know what she was waiting for on the net. I was pretty clear in my statements regarding the handshake,” Switolina said. When asked if she believed that Sabalenka had incited the boos, the 28-year-old replied: “Yes, I think so, unfortunately.” Sabalenka rejected an intentional act: “It was just an instinct, like I always do following all my matches.”
Because of the Russian war of aggression, Ukrainian professionals do not shake hands with their opponents from Russia and Belarus following the games, which is otherwise common in tennis, and do not pose for photos together. She expected the boos, Switolina said. “It wasn’t a surprise to me.” The 28-year-old had her first Grand Slam tournament following the birth of her daughter showed convincing performances last October.
After critical questions regarding her attitude to the war and Lukashenko, Sabalenka had twice previously refused the usual press conference in consultation with the organizers, citing her “mental health”. Instead, she spoke to a representative of the women’s tennis organization WTA, and these statements were made available to journalists. Switolina criticized inequality and recalled the Japanese Naomi Osaka, who had been punished for it in the past. “I think it should be the same for everyone,” she said.
After reaching the semi-finals, Sabalenka answered all questions. Joint photos with Lukashenko in the past she explained with his presence at Fed Cup games in Belarus. “Nothing bad happened in Belarus or in Ukraine or in Russia at the time,” said the Australian Open winner. «I have already said it many times that I do not support the war. I don’t want my country to be involved in any conflict.”
Muchova overwhelmed further
Sabalenka now meets Czech outsider Karolina Muchova. The 26-year-old continued her surprising triumph, defeating former finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-5, 6-2 in the quarter-finals. Previously the world number 43. at the French Open she never got past the third round, at the Australian Open she was also in the semifinals in 2021. “It’s been an incredible two weeks,” she said. (DPA)
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