Princess Kate is saved from handing over a Wimbledon trophy to a Belarusian player
Princess of Wales is saved from the awkward moment of handing over a Wimbledon trophy to a Belarusian player after Aryna Sabalenka is knocked out of the tournament, as Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina’s fairytale run comes to an end
The Princess of Wales does not have to hand over a Wimbledon trophy to a Belarusian player associated with a key supporter of the war in Ukraine.
Aryna Sabalenka, 25, pictured hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally Alexander Lukashenko, was eliminated from the tournament yesterday.
But there was also heartbreak for Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina, 28, as her fairytale run ended in a straight set loss.
Their defeats ended the prospect of tomorrow’s women’s final in which a Ukrainian would face a Belarusian in what would have been a very charged match.
All eyes are now on Spanish hunk Carlos Alcaraz as he takes on Daniil Medvedev, the last Russian to stand at Wimbledon, for a spot in the men’s final.
Aryna Sabalenka, 25, who has been photographed hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close ally Alexander Lukashenko, was knocked out of Wimbledon
Alcaraz, a 20-year-old prodigy, is favored to take down the 6ft 6in world number three and prevent Kate from being photographed with an athlete from an aggressive country.
The princess presents the winners’ trophies, and if they had to present one to a Belarusian or Russian, Britain would be diplomatically embarrassed.
Svitolina became a home crowd favorite after knocking out Grand Slam champions Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek.
She also received overwhelming support in her home country, with a big screen in Kiev to watch the game, but yesterday’s semi-final proved a step too far and she was beaten by Czech Marketa Vondrousova.
The Princess of Wales presents the winners’ trophies, and if they had to present one to a Belarusian or Russian, Britain would be diplomatically embarrassed
The defeats of Elina Svitlona (left) and Anya Sabalenka (right) reduced any chance of a Ukrainian facing a Belarusian in the tournament.
Svitolina burst into tears after her defeat as she described the incredible support she received from people in Ukraine.
“It’s unbelievable that they’ve been with me all the way,” she said. “Hopefully they persevere.”
As she crashed, history will be made tomorrow in the women’s final at Center Court, regardless of the result. Vondrousova, world number 42, 24, would become the first unseeded woman to win the title.
Meanwhile, Tunisian Ons Jabeur, 28, who lost the final last year, would become the first-ever Arab, African and Muslim winner of a Grand Slam. Jabeur came back from a set down to beat Sabalenka.
In addition to Alcaraz’s crunch match against Medvedev, eight-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will face Italy’s Jannick Sinner in his semifinal today.