Belarusian tennis sensation Aryna Sabalenka publicly denounced her nation’s involvement within the conflict in Ukraine on Tuesday, resolutely affirming her non-allegiance to President Alexander Lukashenko.
“I’m not supporting the war, meaning I don’t support Lukashenko right now,” the world No. 2 stated after reaching the French Open semi-finals by defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.
The 25-year-old had come below growing strain to distance herself from her shut relationship with Lukashenko, a key army ally of Moscow within the ongoing battle.
“We played a lot of Fed Cups in Belarus. He (Lukashenko) was in our matches taking pictures with us after the match. But nothing bad was happening that time in Belarus or in Ukraine or in Russia,” she informed reporters.
Sabalenka had canceled two earlier press conferences at Roland Garros, claiming she did not really feel “safe” after going through a barrage of questions over her hyperlinks to her nation’s strongman chief.
As Australian Open champion and potential world No. 1 after the French Open, she was urged by Ukraine rivals to make use of her platform to individually arise towards the conflict.
“I don’t want my country to be involved in any conflict. I said it many times. You have my position. You have my answer,” she stated.
“I don’t want sport to be involved in politics, because I’m just a 25-year-old tennis player.”
Sabalenka has had shut associations with Lukashenko prior to now.
In 2018, she requested a one-to-one assembly with him, based on Belarusian state news company Belta.
The following yr, in an interview with the nation’s largest impartial news web site Tut.by – since shuttered following a brutal crackdown after historic demonstrations towards Lukashenko – she spoke glowingly of the Belarusian chief.
On Dec. 31, 2020, after a yr marked by the crushing of pro-democracy demonstrations, Sabalenka toasted the brand new yr with Lukashenko in Minsk.
I will not promote my nation
At the tip of Tuesday’s match, Svitolina selected to not shake the hand of Sabalenka, a typical apply now within the sport when a Ukrainian participant meets a Russian or Belarusian opponent.
Svitolina was booed by the group whereas Sabalenka stood in useless ready on the web.
“It just was an instinct like I always do after all my matches,” stated Sabalenka of her resolution to make the standard strategy to the web, insisting she had “big respect” for her opponent.
When requested if Sabalenka had infected the scenario by staring her down, Svitolina replied: “Yeah, I think so, unfortunately.”
“I don’t know why she was waiting, because my statements were clear enough about the handshake,” added Svitolina, 28, who stated she was not shocked by being jeered by a Paris crowd that had taken her to their hearts following her marriage to French participant Gael Monfils.
“I was expecting that. Whoever in this situation loses, I guess, gets booed. It was not a surprise for me.”
Sabalenka had defeated one other Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk within the first spherical. Kostyuk additionally refused to shake palms and he or she too was booed.
“Maybe she’s (Sabalenka) not on social media during the tournament, but it is pretty clear. She played Marta. So is quite simple,” stated Svitolina.
Svitolina stated she and her compatriots will proceed their stance within the grass courtroom season which culminates at Wimbledon subsequent month.
“I won’t sell my country for the likes of people,” she stated.
Svitolina additionally demanded Sabalenka be fined for refusing to attend press conferences following her third and fourth spherical matches in Paris.
Two years in the past, former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 for not honoring French Open media commitments.
“It should be equal for everyone. I faced difficulties, I faced difficulty also with the question about Novak (Djokovic), about his statement about Kosovo. So I’m not escaping.”
She added: “I have my strong position, and I’m vocal about that. I’m not going try to win likeness of the people by betraying my strong belief and strongest position for my country.”
Sabalenka justified boycotting media briefings as a result of she “felt really disrespected,” likening her opening appearances to “a political TV show.”
Her resolution to return to the press room was taken partly to keep away from reporters “putting words in my mouth.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
