Published January 26,2023
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Victoria Azarenka was not impressed with being requested a “provocative question” a couple of pro-Russia demonstration on the Australian Open after her semi-final defeat to Elena Rybakina.
Azarenka’s quest to finish a 10-year look ahead to a 3rd grand slam singles title ended when the Belarusian was overwhelmed 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 by the Wimbledon champion on Thursday.
The 33-year-old’s loss on Rod Laver Arena got here after Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, was seen with supporters of Russian president Vladimir Putin at Melbourne Park.
Pro-Putin agitators staged a rally outdoors Rod Laver Arena, after Djokovic beat Russian Andrey Rublev to achieve the final 4 on Wednesday, with 4 folks later questioned by police following allegations that safety guards have been threatened.
Rublev has beforehand expressed his opposition to Russia’s battle in Ukraine, which has been ongoing since final February.
Putin supporters chanted and carried Serbian and Russian flags. One man gave the impression to be sporting a T-shirt adorned with the letter ‘Z’ – used as a pro-war image in Russia.
Srdjan Djokovic was seen standing with the group alongside a person holding a Russian flag with Putin’s face on it. According to experiences, he stated: “Long live the Russians.”
Tennis Australia banned Russian and Belarusian flags from being taken into grounds, after a spectator was reported to safety for displaying one throughout a match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova.
Azarenka was not pleased with being requested about political points throughout her post-match press convention.
She informed a reporter: “You’re here talking about it right now, so obviously it’s a topic you want to continue to bring up and up and up again. I don’t know what you want me to say.”
Asked if Djokovic is perhaps affected by the incident, Azarenka replied: “I don’t know what it has to do with Novak at all, to be fair, so…
“I’ve spoken to really a safety guard as we speak who was strolling me to observe day-after-day. I’ve identified him for years. I simply requested him what was the accident [sic]. He defined to me.
“I don’t know what you guys want us to do about it. Like talk about it? I don’t know what’s the goal here that it’s continuously brought up. These incidents that in my opinion have nothing to do with players, but somehow you keep dragging players into it.
“So what is the purpose right here? I believe it’s best to ask your self that query, not me.
“Whatever the answer I’m going to give to you right now, it’s going to be turned whichever way you want to turn it to. So does it bother me? What bothers me is there’s real things that’s going on in the world. I don’t know. Are you a politician? Are you? Are you covering politics?”
When the reporter stated: “No, I’m a sports journalist”, Azarenka responded by saying: “And I’m an athlete. You’re asking me about things that maybe somebody says are in my control, but I don’t believe that.
“I do not know what you need me to reply. If it is a provocative query, then you may spin the story nevertheless you need.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr
