Aryna Sabalenka has been hammered with all sorts of questions about if she supports the invasion of Ukraine. The Belarusian player had enough of it, and she decided not to attend the press conference that followed her successful third-round match against world no.82 Kamilla Rakhimova.
She had the support of the tournament and she released the following comment:
“After my match, I spoke with the media like I normally do. I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis.
For many months now, I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches. I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday I did not feel safe in press conference.
I should be able to feel safe when I do interviews with the journalists after my matches. For my own mental health and well-being, I have decided to take myself out of this situation today, and the tournament has supported me in this decision.
It hasn’t been an easy few days, and now my focus is continue to play well here in Paris.”
Sabalenka at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2023
Now ranked no.2 (career-high), the Belarussian has managed to achieve a composed 32-5 win-loss record in 2023. Aryna is now competing at the French Open where she bested the world no.39 Marta Kostyuk 6-3 6-2, the world no.214 Iryna Shymanovich 7-5 6-2 and the world no.82 Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2 6-2.
Aryna clinched 3 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open and Madrid. Aryna was the runner-up in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) and in Stuttgart (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix).
Aryna won 13 titles in her career: 9 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
