French Open: ‘I don’t support war,’ Belarusian Sabalenka says

World
By William

Belarusian world tennis number two Aryna Sabalenka has said she does not support the war in Ukraine and her country’s president’s position on it as she resumed her media duties at the French Open.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia, which allowed Moscow’s forces to use its territory as a launch pad for the February 2022 invasion.

After winning her quarterfinal match (6-4, 6-4) in Paris against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina on Tuesday, Sabalenka told reporters she is “not an expert in politics” in response to questions about the war.

“I don’t want my country to be involved in a conflict; I do not support the war,” Sabalenka said at the press conference. “I don’t support war, which means I don’t support [Belarusian President] Alexander Lukashenko right now.”

Sabalenka had not attended her two previous press conferences following her third and fourth round matches last week, citing mental health reasons and saying she did not feel safe after being confronted about the invasion.

“I was really sorry that I didn’t come here. I could not sleep. Like all those bad feelings were in my head, I couldn’t fall asleep,” Sabalenka explained, though she said she didn’t regret not doing her media duties anymore.

“I do not regret the decisions. I felt really disrespected, and I felt really bad. I mean, Grand Slam, it’s enough pressure to handle, and I was just trying to focus on myself, on my game,” added the 25-year-old, who could be world number one at the French Open to transport.

“I really hope you will understand me, my feelings. You know I really respect you all… You can ask whatever you want. You get all the information.

“But at the last press conference, I felt like my press conference turned into a political TV show, and I’m not an expert on politics. I’m just a tennis player.”

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, right, waits at the net as Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, left, leaves the field without shaking hands[Aurelien Morissard/AP]

Previously, Sabalenka was criticized by Svitolina for approaching the net in anticipation of a post-match handshake, which the Ukrainian had already insisted she would not give.

Ukrainian players typically refuse to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian rivals in protest of the war.

As expected, Svitolina ignored Sabalenka, who was leaning on the net, before calmly walking back to her seat.

When asked if Sabalenka had fueled the situation by stepping into the net, Svitolina replied: “Yes, I think so unfortunately.”

“I don’t know why she waited because my statements were clear enough about the handshake,” she said.

However, 28-year-old Svitolina was ridiculed by a Parisian crowd who took her to their hearts after marrying French player Gael Monfils.

“I expected that. Whoever loses in this situation is booed, so I expected that. It was no surprise to me,” said Svitolina.

Sabalenka had defeated another Ukrainian, Marta Kostyuk, in the first round. Kostyuk also refused to shake hands and she too was booed.

‘Maybe [Sabalenka] not on social media during the tournament, but it’s pretty obvious. She also played Marta in the first round. So it’s pretty simple,” Svitolina said.

The Ukrainian added that she and her compatriots will continue their position.

“I will not sell my land for the will of people,” she said.

Politics is central

Svitolina said Sabalenka should also be fined for refusing to attend mandatory press conferences following her previous two matches.

Two years ago, former world number one Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 for failing to meet her French Open media obligations.

“It should be the same for everyone. For example, Naomi was fined last time and this time there is no fine for the player, who also skips the press conference,” said Svitolina.

“I had difficulties, I also had difficulties with the question about Novak [Djokovic], on his statement on Kosovo. So I’m not escaping.”

Last week, Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic caused controversy at the tournament after a gesture on the recent flare-up between Serbia and Kosovo.

“Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence’, the world number three and winner of 22 Grand Slam titles wrote on a camera lens in Serbian, after his first round victory against Aleksandar Kovacevic, from the United States.

His remarks were criticized by sports officials in France and Kosovo, who accused him of promoting “propaganda by Serbian nationalists”.

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