Aryna Sabalenka says remarks from her country’s president are not helping her in the sport but she can’t control what is said by Alexander Lukashenko.
The reigning Australian Open champion has been mentioned a few times in speeches by the leader of Belarus who is accused of supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine. In one address to the nation and parliament, Sabalenka’s name was mentioned by Lukashenko when asked about the upcoming Olympic Games amid calls for Russia to be banned from participating. He has also said people know where the tennis player is from even though she is playing under a neutral flag following rules implemented by tennis’ governing bodies as a result of the war.
“I’m pretty sure that it’s not helping,” Sabalenka said of Lukashenko’s comments during a press conference on Tuesday. “I don’t know what to say because he can comment on my game and he can comment whatever he wants to.’
“I have nothing to do with politics. I’m just an athlete from Belarus and I’m just trying to do my best in my sport. Just trying to focus on myself.”
Sabalenka, who has won 12 Tour titles during her career, says she would stop the war if she could and accepted that some players will not see eye-to-eye with her. In recent weeks the WTA has come under fire from some Ukrainian players who say they are not doing enough to support them given the current circumstances. An allegation that the organization has denied.
Lesia Tsurenko said she was told by WTA CEO Steve Simon that she shouldn’t get upset if some players support Russia as it is just their opinion. Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina branded the WTA’s handling of the situation as ‘useless’ during an interview with L’Equipe. Svitolina is an ambassador to the United 24 which is a foundation founded by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to collect financial donations for Ukraine.
“If Ukrainians will hate me more after his speech, then what can I do? If they feel better by hating me, I’m happy to help them with that,” Sabalenka said. “They can do that. If I could stop the war, I would do that, but unfortunately, it’s not in my hands and it’s not under my control.’
“I’m just trying to stay less on the Internet so I’m not gonna see anything like that. I’ll be able to focus on myself and my game and not get too depressed about this situation.”
The world No.2 admits there is still tension in the locker room and says she receives ‘hate’ from some players without mentioning any names. Although she is gradually getting used to the situation.
“I feel a lot of weird looks at me and probably hate from some of the people,” she said.
“But now I just realize that I have done nothing bad to Ukraine. There are some people who don’t like me just because I was born in Belarus. It’s like it’s their decision, and I cannot control that.’
“It’s not the best feeling to be hated by people for basically nothing, but it is how it is.”
Sabalenka is the second seed at this week’s Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart and will begin her campaign against former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova.
