Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka breaks silence on Ukraine war, issues clarification over Elina Svitolina's accusation
1 year, 6 months ago

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka breaks silence on Ukraine war, issues clarification over Elina Svitolina's accusation

Hindustan Times  

Aryna Sabalenka, for the first time since the start of this month, faced the press on Tuesday, after snubbing it for being grilled about the war and her country's involvement as a staging ground for Russian weapons and troops. But following her quarterfinal win against Elina Svitolina, Sabalenka did not just break silence on the Ukraine war, she also explained her act on Court Philippe Chatrier which was claimed to have "inflamed" the French Open crowd to boo her opponent off. Belarus' Sabalenka speaks out on Ukraine war, Elina Svitolina's accusation It was a comfortable 6-4 6-4 for Sabalenka who reached her maiden semi-final at the Roland Garros. And the thing that I don't want sport to be involved in politics, because I'm just a tennis player, 25 years old tennis player. I mean, I don't support war, meaning I don't support Lukashenko right now.” Earlier in the day, Svitolina was booed off the court after not shaking hands with Sabalenka, an act she and every other Ukrainian player has maintained against Russian and Belarusian players on the tour.

War Ukraine Belarus Russian Lukashenko Sabalenka Ukraine War Svitolina Issues Clarification Elina Svitolina  svitolinas  dont  silence  ukraine  issues  clarification  elina  breaks  belarus  war  tennis  times  russian  open  player  im  sabalenka

History of this topic

Aryna Sabalenka admits she should have taken a break after death of ex-boyfriend
4 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka admits she should have taken a break after death of ex-boyfriend

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Sabalenka was …

Aryna Sabalenka: I should have stopped tennis after ex-boyfriend’s death
4 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka: I should have stopped tennis after ex-boyfriend’s death

The Telegraph  

Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 2, has revealed her mental health was “damaged” in the aftermath of her ex-boyfriend’s death in March. Konstantin Koltsov, a former international ice hockey player, died on March 18 in Florida in what was described by Miami-Dade police as “an apparent suicide” at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. Speaking in an interview with The …

Playing Aryna Sabalenka will be ‘uncomfortable experience’ after death of boyfriend, says Paula Badosa
9 months ago

Playing Aryna Sabalenka will be ‘uncomfortable experience’ after death of boyfriend, says Paula Badosa

The Telegraph  

Playing Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday will be an “uncomfortable” experience, the Spanish star Paula Badosa has said, as Sabalenka continues to press ahead with her tennis commitments despite the tragic death of her boyfriend. Sabalenka’s boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov passed away some time on Sunday night in what the Miami-Dade police department called an “apparent suicide”. A police statement said that …

Elina Svitolina has the Ukraine war and her baby in mind as she beats Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon
1 year, 5 months ago

Elina Svitolina has the Ukraine war and her baby in mind as she beats Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon

Associated Press  

WIMBLEDON, England — The last time Elina Svitolina was Grand Slam semifinalist — twice, actually, in 2019 — she was pursuing the usual trappings of success in professional sports: trophies, money, fame, etc. “Also, because I just started to play again, I have different pressures,” Svitolina said after kneeling down, then covering her face with her hands, when Swiatek missed …

Aryna Sabalenka wants shield from ‘hate’ after Victoria Azarenka booing at Wimbledon
1 year, 5 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka wants shield from ‘hate’ after Victoria Azarenka booing at Wimbledon

Firstpost  

Victoria Azarenka, from Belarus, was booed off-court following her defeat by Ukraine’s Svitolina at Wimbledon on Sunday. Earlier on Monday, Aryna Sabalenka backed Elina Svitolina’s call for officials to respond to help shield players from “so much hate”. “If people are going to be focusing only on handshakes or the crowd, quite adrunk crowd, booing in the end, that’s a …

‘War made me stronger’: Ukrainian Elina Svitolina upsets No. 1 Iga Swiatek
1 year, 5 months ago

‘War made me stronger’: Ukrainian Elina Svitolina upsets No. 1 Iga Swiatek

LA Times  

The last time Elina Svitolina was a Grand Slam semifinalist — twice, actually, in 2019 — she was pursuing the usual trappings of success in professional sports: trophies, money and fame. “Also, because I just started to play again, I have different pressures,” Svitolina said after kneeling down, then covering her face with her hands, when Swiatek missed one last …

Aryna Sabalenka ‘not going to talk about politics’ on Wimbledon return
1 year, 5 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka ‘not going to talk about politics’ on Wimbledon return

The Independent  

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Following last …

Aryna Sabalenka denouncing Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the French Open came from being pressured, and is fraught with danger
1 year, 6 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka denouncing Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the French Open came from being pressured, and is fraught with danger

ABC  

Aryna Sabalenka has been on the end of a thrashing she usually reserves for on-court opponents as the tennis media and Ukrainian players demanded for months the 25-year-old Australian Open champion denounce the war in Ukraine. Not only did Sabalenka say she does not support the war, she also hit out against Belarusian strongman President Alexander Lukashenko, a staunch ally …

Belarus’ Sabalenka waits for a handshake from Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina at French Open, meets media
1 year, 6 months ago

Belarus’ Sabalenka waits for a handshake from Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina at French Open, meets media

Associated Press  

PARIS — Aryna Sabalenka smacked a forehand winner to reach the French Open semifinals for the first time, then strode forward. Although not, apparently, obvious to the second-seeded Sabalenka in that moment; she explained — while speaking with the media after avoiding news conferences after the preceding two contests — that she went to the net out of “instinct.” Nor, …

‘I don’t support the war, I don’t support Lukashenko’: Sabalenka
1 year, 6 months ago

‘I don’t support the war, I don’t support Lukashenko’: Sabalenka

The Hindu  

Belarus tennis star Aryna Sabalenka outrightly condemned her country’s role in the war in Ukraine on Tuesday and insisted she is not a supporter of president Alexander Lukashenko. I don’t support war, meaning I don’t support Lukashenko,” the world number two said after reaching the French Open semifinals by defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. Sabalenka had cancelled two previous press …

French Open: ‘I don’t support war,’ Belarusian Sabalenka says
1 year, 6 months ago

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

Al Jazeera  

Sabalenka says she does not support President Alexander Lukashenko ‘right now’ after win over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who refused to shake her hands. World tennis number two Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka has said she does not support the war in Ukraine and the stance of her country’s president on it, as she resumed her media duties at the French Open. After …

Aryna Sabalenka skips post-match press conference, to avoid questions about Ukraine war
1 year, 6 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka skips post-match press conference, to avoid questions about Ukraine war

ABC  

Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has refused to do an official post-match press conference after a French Open match, claiming she "did not feel safe" when previously questioned about the war in Ukraine. Key points: Aryna Sabalenka said organisers supported her decision not to undertake traditional press duties Belarus is a key military ally of Russia in the conflict The …

French Open lets Belarus’ Sabalenka skip standard news conference after questions about Ukraine war
1 year, 6 months ago

French Open lets Belarus’ Sabalenka skip standard news conference after questions about Ukraine war

Associated Press  

PARIS — Two years after Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open when she was fined, then threatened with disqualification, for skipping news conferences, another top tennis player — No. Sabalenka, who is from Belarus, didn’t appear at a news conference Friday after reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over …

French Open lets Belarus' Sabalenka skip standard news conference after questions about Ukraine war
1 year, 6 months ago

French Open lets Belarus' Sabalenka skip standard news conference after questions about Ukraine war

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two years after Naomi Osaka …

French Open lets Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka skip standard news conference after questions about Ukraine war
1 year, 6 months ago

French Open lets Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka skip standard news conference after questions about Ukraine war

Hindustan Times  

Two years after Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open when she was fined, then threatened with disqualification, for skipping news conferences, another top tennis player — No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion — was allowed to avoid the traditional postmatch session open to all accredited journalists and instead speak Friday with what was described as a …

At French Open, Sabalenka of Belarus refuses to answer questions about war in Ukraine
1 year, 6 months ago

At French Open, Sabalenka of Belarus refuses to answer questions about war in Ukraine

Associated Press  

PARIS — Aryna Sabalenka, a Belarusian tennis player seeded No. After her first-round win Sunday, Sabalenka had said no Russian or Belarusian athletes support the war, but she was asked Wednesday to personally condemn Belarus’ role in supporting Russia’s invasion. “I’ve got no comments to you,” the Australian Open champion said in a press conference after her 7-5, 6-2 victory …

Iga Swiatek says Ukraine war has caused ‘chaos’ in sport
1 year, 6 months ago

Iga Swiatek says Ukraine war has caused ‘chaos’ in sport

The Hindu  

Reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek says the Ukraine war has caused “chaos” in the world of sport. “Those who are in the worst position are the Ukrainian players, and it would be good if we paid more attention to what they feel and what they endure.” Her fears were illustrated on Sunday when Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk was booed at …

Sabalenka hoping to extend ‘amazing’ rivalry with Swiatek after Madrid Open title
1 year, 7 months ago

Sabalenka hoping to extend ‘amazing’ rivalry with Swiatek after Madrid Open title

The Hindu  

Aryna Sabalenka beat world number one Iga Swiatek to win the Madrid Open in the pair’s second clash in a final this year, with the Belarusian saying she hopes their burgeoning rivalry will continue to enthral tennis fans throughout the season. The world number two had lost all three previous meetings with Swiatek on clay, including a defeat in last …

Tennis should have banned Russian, Belarusian players: Swiatek
1 year, 8 months ago

Tennis should have banned Russian, Belarusian players: Swiatek

The Hindu  

Tennis missed an opportunity to send a strong message to Moscow by failing to impose a blanket ban on players from Russia and its ally Belarus after the invasion of Ukraine, world number one Iga Swiatek said. Wimbledon banned players from the two countries last year after the invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”, but said in March …

Wimbledon to accept Russian and Belarusian players as ‘neutral’ athletes
1 year, 8 months ago

Wimbledon to accept Russian and Belarusian players as ‘neutral’ athletes

The Hindu  

Wimbledon will allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete at the grasscourt Grand Slam as ‘neutrals’ this year under certain conditions, having banned players from the two countries last year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, this year’s conditions include prohibiting “expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”, which Moscow calls a special military operation, and prohibiting entry by …

'No Reply From WTA Following Request for Meeting', Says Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk Amid Rising Tensions
1 year, 9 months ago

'No Reply From WTA Following Request for Meeting', Says Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk Amid Rising Tensions

News 18  

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk says the WTA Tour has ignored a request for a meeting with players from the war-torn nation in the latest signs of the conflict-related tensions in women’s tennis. Tsurenko’s coach, Nikita Vlasov, has been highly critical of the WTA in comments reported by Ukrainian websites and world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland has called for more …

Aryna Sabalenka 'feels bad' for Ukrainian players amid war tensions
1 year, 9 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka 'feels bad' for Ukrainian players amid war tensions

Firstpost  

Sabalenka said she felt the WTA had been even handed in dealing with players from all countries. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to stir tension in the tennis world, and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka said Friday that it’s not only Ukrainian players who are feeling the strain. “Of course it’s a lot of tension between us,” Australian Open champion Sabalenka said …

Sabalenka says WTA doing its best to support players amid tensions due to war
1 year, 9 months ago

Sabalenka says WTA doing its best to support players amid tensions due to war

The Hindu  

World number two Aryna Sabalenka said the Women’s Tennis Association was doing a good job of supporting players from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus amid tensions in the locker room following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last year. Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko withdrew from her match with Belarusian Sabalenka at Indian Wells due to what she said was a panic attack triggered by …

Aryna Sabalenka aims to better her game going into 2023 season: Working hard to make my serve the best
1 year, 11 months ago

Aryna Sabalenka aims to better her game going into 2023 season: Working hard to make my serve the best

India Today  

World No.5 Aryna Sabalenka said that she aims to get better and doesn’t want success to get to her head. In 2022, the 24-year-old Sabalenka faced Swiatek five times and it was only in the fifth attempt that she managed to get the better of the Polish star. It’s really good for me that I finished well, so at least …

Wimbledon player ban changed ‘nothing’, says Sabalenka
1 year, 11 months ago

Wimbledon player ban changed ‘nothing’, says Sabalenka

The Hindu  

World number five Aryna Sabalenka said on Sunday that Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players last year achieved “nothing” and that she “really hoped” it would change course in 2023. Russian and Belarusian players, including Sabalenka, were eventually barred from Wimbledon with both the ATP and WTA -- the men’s and women’s governing bodies -- stripping the Grand Slam …

Aryna Sabalenka Hopes Wimbledon Will Be 'More Open' to Return of Russian Players
2 years ago

Aryna Sabalenka Hopes Wimbledon Will Be 'More Open' to Return of Russian Players

News 18  

World number five Aryna Sabalenka is hoping Wimbledon organisers will be “a bit more open” to the idea of allowing Belarusians and Russians play in the 2023 edition. The Belarusian, a semi-finalist in the tournament in 2021, was one of several high-ranked players blocked from Wimbledon earlier this year after the All England Club implemented a ban on Russian and …

Belarus' VIctoria Azarenka dropped from Ukraine exhibition at US Open
2 years, 4 months ago

Belarus' VIctoria Azarenka dropped from Ukraine exhibition at US Open

Hindustan Times  

Two-time major champion and former No 1 Victoria Azarenka was dropped Wednesday from a pre-US Open exhibition event raising money for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. At least one Ukrainian tennis player, Marta Kostyuk, questioned having a Belarusian player participate in the US Tennis Association's "Tennis Plays for Peace Exhibition," scheduled for Wednesday night in Louis Armstrong Stadium at Flushing Meadows. …

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina on a ‘mission’ to help war-torn country
2 years, 5 months ago

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina on a ‘mission’ to help war-torn country

CNN  

CNN — Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina says she has a “mission” to help her country and wants to use her platform to provide hope to the war-torn nation. “One of the most important things as well is to keep their spirits up.” Elina Svitolina wants to use her platform to help Ukraine. “And this is definitely something that all …

Ukrainian tennis player laments lack of support in her sport
2 years, 7 months ago

Ukrainian tennis player laments lack of support in her sport

Associated Press  

PARIS — Words such as “invasion” and “politics,” “ban” and “boycott,” are suddenly a part of the daily discourse in tennis, as in many segments of society, really, and for Ukrainian pro player Lesia Tsurenko, these are not abstract concepts. “For me, personally, it’s tough to be here,” Tsurenko said, “just because I don’t get much words said about the …

It's painful playing against Russians says Ukraine's Tsurenko
2 years, 7 months ago

It's painful playing against Russians says Ukraine's Tsurenko

The Hindu  

Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko on Monday called for stronger support of her country from the tennis world following Russia's invasion and said she was desperate not to play Russians or Belarusian's on the tour. READ: French Open: Osaka crashes out, Swiatek breezes into second round The ATP and WTA Tours last week stripped Wimbledon of its ranking points after the Grand …

Chess Great Garry Kasparov Flays Tennis World No.1Novak Djokovic For His Stance on Russian Athletes
2 years, 7 months ago

Chess Great Garry Kasparov Flays Tennis World No.1Novak Djokovic For His Stance on Russian Athletes

News 18  

Garry Kasparov, the all-time great Russian chess grandmaster, has criticised world No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic for supporting Russian athletes, saying that all those who do not condemn President Vladimir Putin’s “war of extermination in Ukraine are supporting it with silence”. IPL 2022 – FULL COVERAGE | SCHEDULE | RESULTS | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAP | POINTS TABLE Serbia’s …

War in Ukraine live updates: A Ukrainian commander makes a desperate plea for evacuation from Mariupol
2 years, 8 months ago

War in Ukraine live updates: A Ukrainian commander makes a desperate plea for evacuation from Mariupol

NPR  

Hector Vivas / Getty Images Daniil Medvedev of Russia is pictured after winning a match at the Mexican Open in February. Tennis officials have banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing at Wimbledon this year, citing the "unjustified and unprecedented military aggression" in Ukraine. The ban makes Wimbledon one of the first tennis events to suspend players from the two …

Tennis players should not be banned over Ukraine crisis: WTA head
2 years, 9 months ago

Tennis players should not be banned over Ukraine crisis: WTA head

The Hindu  

Women's Tennis Association head Steve Simon has said that individual athletes should not be penalised for "decisions of an authoritarian leadership" amid concerns that players from Russia and Belarus could be blocked from competing in tournaments. Russia was also banned from defending its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team titles as a result of what the country calls …

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk slams global response to Russian invasion of her homeland
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk slams global response to Russian invasion of her homeland

Firstpost  

Kostyuk, who defeated Ukrainian-born Belgian Marina Zanevska in the first round of the Indian Wells WTA Masters, admitted that she thought about not taking the court at all over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Indian Wells, United States: Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk lashed out Thursday at the tennis world’s response to the Russian invasion of her homeland, saying anti-war platitudes weren’t …

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk Slams Tennis Response to Russian Invasion
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk Slams Tennis Response to Russian Invasion

News 18  

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk lashed out Thursday at the tennis world’s response to the Russian invasion of her homeland, saying anti-war platitudes weren’t enough for a country plunged into turmoil and fear. Our parents are going to be okay.” But Kostyuk isn’t alright with the measures taken by global tennis authorities in response to the war. But Russian and Belarusian tennis …

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina won't play Russian opponent unless tours act
2 years, 9 months ago

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina won't play Russian opponent unless tours act

The Hindu  

Top-seeded Elina Svitolina, a 27-year-old professional tennis player from Ukraine, says she will withdraw from the Monterrey Open rather than face a Russian opponent at the Mexican tournament unless tennis's governing bodies follow the International Olympic Committee’s lead and insist that players from Russia and Belarus are only identified as “neutral athletes.” Svitolina wrote Monday on Twitter that she did …

War in Ukraine: Elina Svitolina Says She Won't Play Russians as Ukrainian Players Seek Action
2 years, 9 months ago

War in Ukraine: Elina Svitolina Says She Won't Play Russians as Ukrainian Players Seek Action

News 18  

Top-ranked Ukrainian woman tennis player Elina Svitolina on Monday said she would refuse to play Russian and Belarusian tennis players in tournaments. “I want to announce that I will not play in Monterrey, nor any other match, against Russian or Belarusian tennis players, until our organisations take the necessary actions,” Svitolina wrote on Twitter. “We demand that WTA immediately condemn …

Elina Svitolina: Worried for her parents, Ukrainian tennis star says she has been suffering sleepless nights
2 years, 9 months ago

Elina Svitolina: Worried for her parents, Ukrainian tennis star says she has been suffering sleepless nights

CNN  

CNN — Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina says she has been suffering sleepless nights following the Russian invasion of her home country as she worries about her family and friends back home, describing what has happened as a “horrible time for all Ukrainians.” The 27-year-old, who was in Monterrey, Mexico, for a tournament, said on Sunday that she is terrified …

After Australian Open loss, Aryna Sabalenka vows to be ready for Serena Williams
3 years, 9 months ago

After Australian Open loss, Aryna Sabalenka vows to be ready for Serena Williams

The Hindu  

Aryna Sabalenka's mind was full of doubts before playing Serena Williams for the first time at the Australian Open but the feisty Belarussian has vowed to be mentally stronger going into her next contest against the 23-time Grand Slam winner. The strongly-built Sabalenka finished 2020 with trophies at Ostrava and Linz and arrived in Melbourne for the year's first Grand …

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