Sabalenka returned to see reporters after two press conferences she did not attend. As one might expect, the first question from the room was not about sporting matters, but why the Belarusian scored after the game and waited for Svitolina, even though she knew that he would not shake her hand. Due to the war, Ukrainian women did not make this move against rivals from Russia and Belarus.

– I don’t know, it’s instinct. I always do it after the game,” Sabalenka replied.

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Then the Belarusian was asked why she is now calling for the separation of sport and politics, even though she has in the past been photographed with the Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko, and whether she still supports it.

“I don’t support the war, meaning I don’t support Lukashenka now,” he said.

– We played a lot of Fed Cup matches in Belarus. He used to come and take pictures with us. Nothing bad happened in Belarus, Ukraine or Russia then – he said of the photos with Lukashenko.

– I don’t want to mix sport with politics because I am a 25 year old tennis player. If I wanted to get into politics, I wouldn’t be here. I just want to be a tennis player.

The shadow of war hung over Sabalenka from the very beginning of the Paris struggle. Already in the first round she played with Marta Kostiuk from Ukraine, and during the press conference Daria Meshcheriakowa asked the Belarusian an uncomfortable question. Ukrainian journalists finished work in the French capital on Saturday.

As a result, after the matches of the third round and 1/8 finals, Sabalenka did not meet with the media, and this decision was explained by concern for her own well-being and the fact that she “didn’t feel safe.” .

“I always respect press conferences, I’m always open to questions. I feel bad not coming to conferences, I can’t sleep at night. Thanks for being here today and interested in me – he said on Tuesday.

– However, I do not regret this decision, because after that conference (May 31 – editor’s note) I felt very bad. It’s like I’m in a political show. I’m not a political expert, just a tennis player. I need time to calm down. Ask what you want, you will get an answer. Today I feel safe that no one is putting words in my mouth.

Sabalenka advanced to the semifinals of the French Open for the first time in her career. She will face Czech Karolina Muchova for the final on Thursday.

On Wednesday, defending champion Iga Świątek will play his match in the quarter-finals. The world ranking leader will face American Cori Gauff (No. 6).

MC, PAP

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