“Everyone knows that I’m Belarusian…” Australian Open champion on the status of “neutral athlete”

Friday, January 28. Sabalenka (WTA 5th) defeated Rybakina, who is ranked 25th in the WTA, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

As you know, Russian and Belarusian tennis players compete under the neutral flag in WTA and ATP tour tournaments. After winning the “Australian Open” tournament, Sabalenka received a cup with only her name and surname engraved on it, but not her nationality.

Thus, Sabalenka became the first “neutral athlete” who won a “Grand Slam” level tournament. The tennis player did not see it as something noteworthy.

“I think everyone knows that I’m Belarusian anyway. That’s all. Will this be a big event in my country? I think so. I think people will be proud of me. But I’m going back to Miami, where I live,” said Sabalenka.

Last year, the organizer of the Wimbledon “Grand Slam” tournament drew wide attention for not allowing Russian and Belarusian tennis players to participate in the competition, despite the fact that they play under the neutral flag.

This position of Sabalenka on the issue of “neutral athletes” raises questions about the meaning of such a designation, and therefore also the participation of Russian and Belarusian tennis players in further “Grand Slam” tournaments.