Sabalenka 'feels bad' for Ukrainian players
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 after beating Maria Sakkari to reach the final of the combined WTA and ATP Masters 1000 in the California desert.
But, she added, "I still have this belief that I did nothing bad to Ukrainians – not me, not Russian athletes."
The WTA and ATP tours have barred players from Russia and its ally Belarus from competing under their national flags, but insist that individual athletes have a right to compete.
Wimbledon, which banned players from Russia and Belarus last year, is reportedly poised to allow them to return.
Sabalenka, who said before the tournament that she wrestled with guilt last year but finally concluded that the situation was not her fault, was thrust into the spotlight again this week when Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko withdrew from their third-round match.
Tsurenko later told the Big Tennis of Ukraine portal that she had a panic attack, the overwhelming emotions coming days after a conversation with WTA chief executive Steve Simon about the ongoing tensions related to the war in which she found Simon unsupportive.
Sabalenka said she felt the WTA had been even handed in dealing with players from all countries.
"I was through so many bad things, and unfortunately, I'm not able to say that because who is gonna believe Belarusian girl," she said.
"I think Tsurenko withdrawing, there was more than panic attack or more than political situation.
"I think there is something more. I had a really tough situation last year with her coach the way he act to me. So I think that guy put so much pressure on her, and that's why that happened.
"It's nothing to do with WTA. They are doing their best job. None of us have control in this situation.
"All of us (are) just trying to keep calm in the locker room ... all of us understand Ukrainians and we really feel bad for them."
World number one Iga Swiatek of Poland said she understood Tsurenko's decision, however.
"Honestly I respect Ukrainian girls so much, because if a bomb landed in my country or if my home was destroyed, I don't know if I could handle that, honestly, and play on WTA and compete."
下一篇:Newborns hit new low, but births to those unmarried reach record high: data
- ·Yes, big spiders are spreading in the U.S. No, they're not flying.
- ·鎷涘晢閾惰闈掑矝棣欐腐瑗胯矾鏀寮€灞曢槻鑼冨拰鎵撳嚮闈炴硶闆嗚祫銆侀潪娉曟斁璐枫€侀噾铻嶈瘓楠楁椿鍔╛涓浗灞变笢缃慱闈掑矝
- ·5场直播助农成绩亮眼!江门等粤港澳大湾区特色农产品线上受热捧
- ·夺冠将“戴银牵牛”!2023全国“村BA”总决赛奖品公布
- ·How to Backup Your Gmail Account
- ·闈掑矝鑱旈€氬紑灞曡鏀挎潙缃戠粶涓撻」浼樺寲 鎻愬崌缃戠粶鍝佽川
- ·提升“获得电力”服务水平 持续改善用电营商环境
- ·第二届“青岛谷里时尚买手节”品牌聚焦
- ·World's first green ammonia plant is now open for business
- ·篮球训练营开班,广东运动员到喀什送课
- ·高效化解一起不当得利纠纷 为一企业追回损失七万余元
- ·搭建人才培养“快车道” 传承百年酿造“慢功夫”
- ·The Composer Has No Clothes
- ·切实解决市民需求,招商银行青岛分行积极开展“过新年,换新钱”主题活动
- ·【农财网·蕉价】受台风影响,蕉价上涨
- ·我市举行“除隐患、防风险、迎大庆”化妆品安全生产约谈会
- ·Trump trials: Jack Smith is reportedly reconsidering his strategy.
- ·青岛在港成功签约42个项目 总投资323亿美元
- ·篮球训练营开班,广东运动员到喀什送课
- ·青岛在港成功签约42个项目 总投资323亿美元
- ·Essential Apps to Install on your Windows PC or Mac
- ·平安人寿青岛分公司:“闪赔”让服务更贴心
- ·招行票据大管家有效解决小微企业融资难题
- ·青岛味 上合礼——波尼亚新春大礼盒抢鲜上市!
- ·Keurig K Mini deal — get $30 off at Target
- ·提升“获得电力”服务水平 持续改善用电营商环境
- ·Unionized hospital workers pull out from strike
- ·红色文化旅游宣传活动走进高校
- ·2018骞存湪椹梾姣掑寘鏂板瓒?00涓囦釜锛岃吘璁墜鏈虹瀹舵彁閱掔敤鎴疯鎯曟綔鍦ㄥ▉鑳乢涓浗灞变笢缃慱闈掑矝
- ·IT创新打造青岛数字艺术创新新生态
- ·Spate of defections show Kim Jong
- ·集中开展增殖放流活动
- ·开展防范非法集资宣传 守住群众钱袋子
- ·青岛在港成功签约42个项目 总投资323亿美元
- ·Cicadas love to land on people. Experts explain why.
- ·处罚与宣传并重 雅安交警整治老年代步车乱象