Aryna Sabalenka lately sparked controversy forward of the French Open with feedback on the Ukraine-Russia struggle. The Belarusian’s assertion drew blended reactions and he or she was topic to some backlash from followers.
Because the World No.1 gears up for the second Grand Slam of the 12 months, she mirrored on the connection between her dwelling nation Belarus and Ukraine, which has turned hostile after the previous’s help of Russia through the ongoing struggle. In an interview with Vogue, she lamented the animosity, saying,
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“For therefore lengthy, Ukrainians and Belarusians have been like brothers and sisters. We’re the identical. We’re all tied shut collectively. And now there’s an enormous wall between us, and I don’t know if it’s ever going away.”
Reacting to her phrases, one fan on Instagram slammed her view, writing,
“If Ukraine invaded Belarus would she nonetheless declare the identical?”
One other fan shared an identical opinion, writing,
“So sport turns into someplace you’ll be able to ignore actuality? I do not assume so. The struggle in Ukraine is just not a difficulty the place sitting on the fence is an appropriate or ethical place”
Nonetheless, some followers defended Aryna Sabalenka’s feedback, writing,
“I am fairly positive she was speaking about folks and historical past between them, not Lukashenko. Remember – some Belarus guys preventing on the aspect of Ukraine towards Russian aggression and Belarus itself occupied by Russia.”
“Earlier than you publish stuff like this, a minimum of truth examine. Aryna has stated up to now she doesn’t help the struggle nor Lukashenko,” one other fan added.
Aryna Sabalenka weighs in on Russia-Ukraine divide in tennis
In her interview with Vogue, Aryna Sabalenka additionally opened up concerning the Russia-Ukraine divide in tennis. For the reason that starting of the struggle, Ukrainian gamers have refused to shake arms with Russian and Belarusian gamers after matches.
Whereas Sabalenka agrees with the stand the Ukrainians are taking, she needs for sport to be a platform of togetherness, saying,
“I additionally assume that sport is a platform and a spot the place we will come collectively, not combat towards one another as if we’re having our personal struggle. Get collectively, be collectively, present peace.”
On the tennis finish of issues, Aryna Sabalenka is now scheduled to compete on the French Open. The World No.1 enters the match within the hunt for her first Grand Slam title of the season. Total, the 28-year-old has had a disappointing clay season to date, making a lukewarm look on the Madrid Open and spherical of 32 exit on the Italian Open.
Edited by Riddhi Acharya
