- By Jonathan Jurejko
- BBC Sport at Roland Garros
Image source, Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka won the Australian Open in January
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka said she does not support her president Alexander Lukashenko “today” since of his support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
She had actually formerly said “no professional athlete” supports the war however this is the very first time she has actually spoken versus Lukashenko.
Having decreased to go to open press conference at the French Open because Friday for her psychological health and wellbeing after a series of political concerns, Sabalenka resumed her routine media responsibilities after reaching the semi-finals.
“I do not support war. I do not support Lukashenko today,” the 25-year-old said after her 6-4 6-4 win over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who was booed by the French crowd for declining to shake Sabalenka’s hand at the end of a tense encounter.
Lukashenko is a close ally of Russia president Vladimir Putin, offering military assistance in the intrusion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka, who might end up being the ladies’s world primary at the French Open, is among Belarus’ highest-profile professional athletes.
Since the war began in February 2022, she has actually been under pressure to range herself from the country’s leader.
Ukrainian gamer Marta Kostyuk criticised Sabalenka after their first-round match for “never ever stating she personally does not support this war”.
Sabalenka has actually satisfied Lukashenko on numerous celebrations and was photographed along with him at a New Year’s Eve function in 2020.
Earlier in 2020, there were mass demonstrations in the eastern European nation after Lukashenko declared triumph in an election extensively deemed rigged.
Opposition activists implicated authorities of ruthless techniques – consisting of battering protesters, utilizing water cannons and stun grenades – as they challenged the governmental election.
After the Minsk-born gamer won her very first significant at the Australian Open in January, Lukashenko praised Sabalenka on the accomplishment and was seen toasting her success in an online video.
He later on said individuals understood which nation she came from even if she was playing under a neutral flag.
“I said it lot of times already, I’m not supporting war. I do not desire my nation to be associated with any dispute,” she said on Tuesday.
“I said it lot of times, and you understand where I stand, you understand. You have my position. You have my response. I addressed it lot of times. I’m not supporting the war.
“I do not desire sport to be associated with politics, since I’m simply a tennis gamer, a 25-years-old tennis gamer.
“If I wish to be political I would not be here. I do not wish to be associated with any politics. I simply wish to be a tennis gamer.”
Sabalenka was speaking in her very first open press conference because Wednesday, having actually avoided them after her previous 2 matches for her “own psychological health and wellness”.
She had actually been challenged by a Ukrainian press reporter about whether she supported Lukashenko and, after decreasing to address the concern, later on said she did not “feel safe” throughout Wednesday’s press conference.
“I seemed like my interview ended up being a political television program, and I’m not specialist in politics. I’m simply a tennis gamer,” said Sabalenka.
“I had a couple of days to turn off from journalism conference, couple of days to bring myself together, couple of days to understand a number of things.
“That’s why I feel much safer. And no one’s putting words in my mouth, that’s another factor.”
