She returned to the classic press conference after a two-match boycott until the quarterfinals with Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina.
For the first time ever since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, Aryna Sabalenková gave a clear position that went beyond just general words about peace. “I do not support war. This means that I do not support Lukashenko,” she said.
“We played the Fed Cup in Belarus many times, Lukashenko often came to see us and take pictures. At that time, nothing bad was happening in Ukraine, Belarus or Russia,” she continued.
“I don’t want my country to be in any conflict. I’ve said it many times. However, I do not want to get involved in politics, I am only a 25-year-old tennis player,” she added.
It was the first time since the beginning of the war that Sabalenková openly formulated her position in this way. Paradoxically, although after previous actions and statements she looked more like a silent supporter of Lukashenko, she finally formulated one of the most unambiguous positions among Russian and Belarusian tennis players.
Let’s go through what all preceded it.
Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenkova waited at the net to shake hands, although she knew that her Ukrainian opponent Elina Svitolina would not shake hands with her. The spectators booed Svitolina for this after yesterday’s Roland Garros quarterfinals.
Sabalenkova leaned against the net, looking at Svitolina, and raised her hand as she approached. Ukrainian woman