In the debate about handshakes with professionals from Russia and Belarus, the Ukrainian Jelina Switolina called for a clear statement from the tennis organizations. “I think they have to go public with a statement that there will be no handshakes between Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian players,” said Switolina (28) on Sunday evening in Wimbledon after her round of 16 victory against Viktoria Asarenka from Belarus.
After that Switolina had refrained from shaking hands after a game, which is mandatory in tennis. Because of the Russian war of aggression against her homeland, Switolina refuses to shake hands with players from Russia and Belarus. “I have said it several times that until Russian troops leave Ukraine and we reclaim our territories, I will not shake hands. That’s a clear statement from me,” said Switolina.
Svitolina: “Don’t seem to know what’s going on”
Her opponent Asarenka accepted that after her defeat, but was then booed by some of the spectators when she left the field. The former number one in the world then stopped completely stunned and then left the court with a gesture that was not defined later, in which she crossed her hands in the air.
“Maybe some people don’t realize it. Some people don’t seem to know what’s going on,” Svitolina said. She recalled being booed at the French Open in Paris when she failed to congratulate the world number two on the net after her quarterfinal defeat by Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus. Therefore, a clear statement by the organizations is “the right way”.
Azarenka was disappointed by the audience’s reaction, but annoyed by the discussion of the topic. “Don’t make it bigger than it is. It doesn’t change a person’s life whether someone shakes hands with someone else on the net or not,” Azarenka said. “I have known Jelina for a long time and have always had a good relationship with her. Circumstances are what they are.”
Great joy after victory: Jelina Switolina at Wimbledon : Photo: Reuters
Switolina will now have to deal with the Polish and world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, who with difficulty prevailed in the round of 16 against the Swiss Belinda Benic 6: 7 (4: 7), 7: 6 (7: 2), 6: 3 . The otherwise sovereign French Open winner even had to fend off two match balls from the Olympic champion in the second set. Swiatek converted her first match point after 3:02 hours. The four-time Grand Slam tournament winner is thus in Wimbledon for the first time in the quarterfinals. “I don’t know if I’ve ever fended off a match point and then won in my career,” said Swiatek. “I think I needed this win to feel a little more comfortable on this surface.”
The mood at Switolina was also great, despite the handshake debate. “After the birth of my child, this is the happiest moment of my life,” she said. Switolina is married to French professional Gael Monfils. The couple have a daughter. “I know what this moment means for my people in Ukraine. It’s hard times in Ukraine and I can play here. That is indescribable.”
16-year-old Russian in the round of 16
Previously, a Russian had made positive headlines. The only 16-year-old Mirra Andreyeva prevailed in the grass classic against her compatriot Anastasia Potapova, who was number 22, 6: 2, 7: 5 and is thus straight away in the round of 16 at her premiere in London. There she meets the American Madison Keys this Monday. “It feels incredible,” said Andreyeva.
She played her first Grand Slam tournament a few weeks ago at the French Open in Paris, where she had reached the third round. In the second set, she made up for a deficit of 1:4 against Potapova and even saved two set points when the score was 4:5. “I couldn’t show any emotion on the pitch. I was out of breath after every rally,” said Andreyeva.
Pirmin Clossé, London Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 2 Pirmin Clossé, London Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 6 Published/Updated:
In the men’s category, Andrei Rublev made it to the quarter-finals for the first time at Wimbledon. The 25-year-old defeated Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan in a gripping match 7:5, 6:3, 6:7 (6:8), 6:7 (5:7), 6:4. When the score was 5: 4 in the fourth set, he had already given away two match points. Most recently, Rublev and Bublik faced each other in the final in Halle two weeks ago. Since Bublik had won in three sets.
2023-07-10 06:43:00
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