Aryna Sabalenka refused to do an official post-match press convention after powering into the final 16 of the French Open for the primary time with a straight-sets win over Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova.
The Belarusian claimed she “did not feel safe” dealing with the press following repeated questions on her nation’s involvement within the warfare in Ukraine earlier within the match.
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Instead, she spoke to a small group of reporters off-camera and solely took questions from an official, later releasing a press release which raises purple flags in tennis circles.
“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,” she stated.
“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 my 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.”
It continues a controversial 12 months for Sabalenka, the world No.2 who received her first grand slam title at this 12 months’s Australian Open.
In March, Sabalenka stated she has “never faced that much hate in the locker room” after a defeat to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina within the closing at Indian Wells.
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk was then booed off the courtroom after refusing to shake fingers with Sabalenka following their first spherical conflict at Roland Garros.
Now Sabalenka has spoken about her issues chatting with the press, an incident that comes practically precisely two years after former world No.1 Naomi Osaka refused to do press conferences on the similar match.
Osaka in the end withdrew from the 2021 French Open after which had an prolonged break from the game attributable to anxiousness and despair.
Second seed Sabalenka is but to drop a set on this 12 months’s match and it’s not but clear whether or not she is going to attend press conferences going ahead.
Sabalenka is among the favourites for the championship after a advantageous begin to the 12 months and can usurp Iga Swiatek as world No.1 if she lifts the title.
Sabalenka will face former US Open champion Sloane Stephens within the fourth spherical.
– With AFP
Source: www.news.com.au
