Aryna Sabalenka smacked a forehand winner to reach the French Open semifinals for the first time, then strode forward. Placing both hands atop the net tape, she leaned forward and stared directly at Elina Svitolina, her Ukrainian opponent. (More Tennis News)
Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion whose nation, Belarus, helped Russia invade Ukraine to begin a war that now is in its 17th month, knew that Svitolina would not participate Tuesday in the usual post-match handshake.Â
Like other players from Ukraine, including Sabalenka's first-round opponent at Roland Garros last week, Svitolina has avoided that traditional greeting after any match against someone from Russia or Belarus, for obvious reasons.
Although not, apparently, obvious to the second-seeded Sabalenka in that moment; she explained 바카라 while speaking with the media after avoiding news conferences after the preceding two contests 바카라 that she went to the net out of 바카라instinct.바카라Â
Nor, apparently, obvious to some members of the crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier for Sabalenka's 6-4, 6-4 victory, because there was a smattering of boos directed at Svitolina afterward, thinking she was breaching tennis etiquette, not taking a stand related to what is happening in her country.
When she saw Sabalenka standing there after the match, Svitolina said, 바카라My initial reaction ... was like, 'What are you doing?바카라
Asked whether Sabalenka might have inflamed the situation by waiting at the net, Svitolina replied: 바카라Yeah, I think so, unfortunately.바카라
Sabalenka 바카라 who will play Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in the semifinals on Thursday 바카라 returned to the standard Q-and-A setting with reporters Tuesday, after skipping two such sessions because, she said, she 바카라did not feel safe바카라 after being asked about Belarus and Ukraine at her news conference last Wednesday and wanted to protect her 바카라mental health and well-being.바카라
One of the topics was her relationship with Belarus' authoritarian leader, President Alexander Lukashenko, and that was raised again Tuesday.
바카라I don't want my country to be involved in any conflict. I said it many times, and you know where I stand. You have my position. You have my answer. I answered it many times. I'm not supporting the war,바카라 Sabalenka said, adding a moment later: 바카라I don't want to be involved in any politics. I just want to be a tennis player.바카라
A reporter asked whether she supports Lukashenko.
바카라It's a tough question,바카라 Sabalenka said. 바카라I mean, I don't support war, meaning I don't support Lukashenko right now.바카라
