Belarus tennis star positions himself against Alexander Lukashenko

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Created: 07.06.2023Updated: 06/07/2023 10:51 p.m

Von: Patrick Mayer

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Belarusian top tennis player Aryna Sabalenka distances herself from Minsk ruler Alexander Lukashenko. She had previously caused a stir at the French Open against a Ukrainian.

Munich/Paris – Even in early summer 2023 there is no end in sight to the Ukraine war. The blasting of the Kakhovka Dam in the Cherson Oblast is causing a stir these days. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian counter-offensive and fighting with Russian troops continue unabated.

Aryna Sabalenka: Belarus tennis star distances herself from Alexander Lukashenko

Remarkable: Ukrainian athletes compete in competitions at the same time – in tennis also against Russian or Belarusian athletes. The regime in Minsk, in turn, supports Moscow ruler Vladimir Putin in his war of aggression, which violates international law. Now a Belarusian sports star has distanced himself from Putin’s ally Alexander Lukashenko for the first time.

For example, tennis player Aryna Sabalenka spoke out on political issues for the first time after a total of six days at the French Open in Paris after two media boycotts.

“I don’t support the war. That means that I don’t support Lukashenko right now,” said the world number two in the French capital. The 25-year-old Sabalenka had previously caused a stir when she was waiting for her opponent at the net after the 6: 4 and 6: 4 over the Ukrainian Jelina Switolina – even if she had previously stated that opponents from Russia and Belarus did not shake hands admit.

Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open: Eklat mit Ukrainianin Jelina Switolina

Switolina, for her part, was booed by parts of the audience for refusing to shake hands. Sabalenka now rejected an intentional act or even a possible provocation against the Ukrainian. “It was just an instinct. Like I always do after all my matches,” she said.

For classification: After the games, Ukrainian professionals refrain from the handshake with their opponents from Russia and Belarus, which is otherwise usual in tennis, and they also do not pose for joint photos. The reactions to this were mixed in the audience at the French Open. She expected the boos, Switolina said in Paris: “It wasn’t a surprise to me.”

Tennis: Ukrainians refuse to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players

Another example: At the beginning of March, Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostjuk refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva after the final of the WTA tournament in Austin, Texas. Instead, she said into the microphone at the award ceremony: “I would like to dedicate this title to Ukraine and all the people who are fighting and dying right now.” (dpa/pm)