Indian Wells:
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine continue to stir up tension in the tennis world, and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka said Friday that it is not only Ukrainian players who feel the pain.
“The truth is that there is a lot of tension between us,” said Australian Open champion Sabalenka after beating Maria Sakkari to reach the final of the WTA and ATP Masters 1000 in the California desert.
But, he added, “I still have this belief that I didn’t do anything bad to Ukrainians – not me, not the Russian players.”
The WTA and ATP tournaments have banned players from Russia and its ally Belarus from competing under their national flags, but arguing that every athlete has the right to compete.
Wimbledon, which banned players from Russia and Belarus last year, is reportedly ready to allow them to return.
Sabalenka, who said before the tournament that she struggled with guilt last year but eventually came to the conclusion that it wasn’t her fault, took the spotlight back to this week when Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko withdrew from their third game.
Tsurenko Later it was told to the Big Tennis of Ukraine portal that he attacked the fear, the overwhelming feelings came days after the conversation with the general manager of the WTA Steve Simon about the ongoing controversy related to the battle in which he found Simon’s support.
Sabalenka said she felt the WTA was already committed to handling players from all countries.
“I faced a lot of bad things, and unfortunately, I can’t say that because who will believe the Belarusian girl,” he said.
“I think Tsurenko has left, more than fear or more than politics.
“I think there is something more, I had a very difficult situation last year with his coach the way he treated me, so I think that gave Mr. weight to him, and that’s why it happened.
“It has nothing to do with the WTA, they are doing their best work, none of us are in charge of this situation.
“We all (are) trying to calm down in the locker room … we all understand the Ukrainians and we are very upset with them.”
Number one in the world Iga Swiatek Poland said it understood Tsurenko’s decision, however.
“The truth is that I have a lot of respect for the Ukrainian girls, because if a bomb is placed in my country or my house is destroyed, I don’t know if I can handle that, honestly, and play in the WTA and compete.”
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