Women’s No.3 Jessica Pegula says Aryna Sabalenka is within her rights to pass on doing media duties after being ‘hammered’ with questions related to the war in Ukraine.
Sabalenka didn’t conduct a press conference following her win over Sloane Stephens at the French Open on Sunday and instead agreed to answer questions from a member of the WTA team. It is the second match in a row where the world No.2 has decided not to speak publicly to the media due to concerns over her mental health. Last week she said she ‘did not feel safe’ after a tense interaction with one journalist following her second round match concerning the war in Ukraine and her views on the matter.
According to the Associated Press, part-time journalist Daria Meshcheriakova quizzed Sabalenka about her views on the war and her support for Belarus’ president Alexander Lukashenko. The tennis star is claimed to be among a series of individuals who signed a letter of support for Lukashenko in 2020 but she has never publicly commented on this. Belarus is accused of supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine which began in February 2022 and has killed thousands of people.
Some have questioned Sabalenka’s decision to not attend an open press conference when she is willing to do one with selected journalists. Her first closed question and answer session was done with individuals hand-picked by the French Tennis Federation. The names of those journalists selected were never made public.
However, Pegula has backed her peer by saying she has the right to refuse to speak to the media if she feels intimidated to do so. In an editorial piece written for BBC Sport, the American says the French Open has become more ‘empathetic about players’ mental health needs’ due to what happened to Naomi Osaka at the tournament two years ago.
“Sabalenka still found a way to do press, giving quotes to the Women’s Tennis Association, which were then distributed to other reporters,” Pegula wrote.
“She has been hammered with questions about the war in Ukraine and Belarus’ support of Russia. She clearly felt enough was enough. I think that’s her right.’
“It’s the right of the press to ask the questions they want to ask, but also it is her right not to answer them if she doesn’t want to answer them.”
Sabalenka’s limited interaction with the media coincides with the possibility that she could overtake Iga Swiatek to become world No.1 at the French Open. Pegula concedes that the media plays a key role in promoting women’s tennis but believes there needs to be a fine balance.
“Speaking to the media is important for growing the sport and connecting with fans. We wouldn’t want to lose that. But it has to be the right balance and the player has to feel safe,” she said.
Sabalenka will next play Ukrain’es Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals. It is unclear if her press conference boycott will last the entire tournament.
