Aryna Sabalenka has expressed her incapability to control the remarks made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko about her, acknowledging that though his statements could additional diminish her standing on the ladies’s tour, her precedence lies in selling peace and conciliation.
The tennis star additional acknowledged that she would search to resolve the continuing battle in Ukraine if it had been inside her capability.
The world quantity two spoke final month in regards to the “hate” she encountered within the locker room amid strained relations between some gamers following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which was supported by its ally Belarus.
Lukashenko celebrated Sabalenka’s Australian Open victory in January and stated extra just lately that folks knew which nation she hailed from even when she was taking part in below a impartial flag.
In March 2022, tennis’s governing our bodies barred gamers from Russia and Belarus from competing below the identify or flag of both nation following the struggle, requiring them to play below impartial flags.
“I’m pretty sure that it’s not helping,” Sabalenka instructed reporters in Stuttgart on Tuesday when requested about Lukashenko’s feedback. “I don’t know what to say because he can comment (on) my game; he can comment whatever he wants to.”
“I’ve nothing to do with politics … If Ukrainians will hate me extra after his speech, what can I do? If they really feel higher by hating me, I’m blissful to assist them with that. They can do this.
“But the rest, if I could stop the war, I would do that, but unfortunately, it’s not in my hands and it’s not under my control.”
The 24-year-old stated she evaded the web as a lot as potential to keep away from studying adverse feedback.
“I’ll be able to focus on myself and my game and not get too depressed about this situation,” she added.
Sabalenka is taking part in on the Stuttgart Open this week after withdrawing from the Charleston Open with a minor damage. After receiving a bye within the opener, she is going to face Barbora Krejcikova within the second spherical of the claycourt occasion.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
