Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus skipped the post-match press conference after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round of the open French on Friday, citing his «mental health and well-being.»
Sabalenka, the world No. 2 player, faced questions on Wednesday about whether she would denounce the war in Ukraine, as well as her relationship with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus pauses during her match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia at the 2023 French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on Friday. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Sabalenka replied «I have no comment for you» to both questions, according to ESPN.
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On Friday, Sabalenka spoke with a small group of reporters instead of the usual post-match press.
«After my match, I spoke to the media like I normally do,» Sabalenka said in a transcript provided to the media. «I know you are still expecting some questions that are more about politics and not so much about my tennis. Since many months I answer these questions in tournaments and I am very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches.
«I know that I have to give answers to the media about things that are not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday I did not feel safe at (the) press conference. I should be able to feel safe when I do interviews with journalists after my matches. mental health and well-being, today I have decided to get out of this situation, and the tournament has supported me in this decision.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus competes against Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia in the third round of the singles competition during the French Open 2023 tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on Friday. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
«It hasn’t been an easy few days, and now my goal is to continue playing well here in Paris.»
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A spokesman for the French tennis federation told Reuters that Sabalenka would not be fined and that her attendance at other news conferences would depend on her.
Sabalenka defeated Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the first round of the open Frenchand Kostyuk refused to shake hands at the net after the match.
Sabalenka was asked about her stance on the war in Ukraine after her first and second round victories.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia in the third round of the women’s singles competition at the 2023 French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on Friday. (Frey/TPN/Getty Images)
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«Nobody in this world, Russian athletes or Belarusian athletes, supports the war. Nobody. How can we support the war? Nobody, normal people, will ever support it. Why (we) have to speak out loud and say such things It’s like: ‘One plus one (is) two.’ Of course we don’t support the war,» Sabalenka said Sunday. «If it could somehow affect the war, if it could stop it, we would. But unfortunately, it’s not in our hands.»
Sabalenka’s victory on Friday takes her to the last 16 of the French Open for the first time in her career.
Associated Press contributed to this report.