2023-07-02 12:00:00
LONDON | A year ago, Russians and Belarusians might not set foot in Wimbledon. The English Tennis Federation had taken this decision in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine by these two countries. “I hadn’t watched much,” Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka revealed on Saturday. Every time Wimbledon was on TV I cried, so…”
The second favorite was therefore moved when she set foot at the All England Club this week. And she was still when she met the journalists during the media day.
“I’m super happy to be here,” she smiled. I really missed this place. I can’t believe I’m there.”
But if the Russians and Belarusians are back in London, the war in Ukraine is not over. The subject was repeatedly discussed in Paris last month, where Ukrainian players refused to shake hands with their opponents from these two countries.
This was the case of Elina Svitolina, whom Sabalenka was still waiting at the net following her quarter-final victoryknowing very well that the Ukrainian would ignore the traditional congratulations.
Aryna Sabalenka waited for Elina Svitolina at the net for the traditional handshake following her quarter-final victory at Roland-Garros, knowing that the Ukrainian would not go there. Photo: AFP
Sabalenka had also twice refused to go to a press conference, saying she felt threatened by questions from a Ukrainian journalist regarding her position on the war and her relationship with the authoritarian leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.
No politics this time?
This time, the Australian Open champion announced at the outset, in her press conference, that she would not talk regarding politics during the tournament.
Asked if it was her decision or if she was pressured into making the statement, Sabalenka said it was a personal choice.
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