Aryna Sabalenko said last month that she wanted “world peace” and said players from Russia and Belarus were not to blame for the war in Ukraine, while the Australian Open champion’s comments were echoed by President Oleksandr Lukashenko.

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Aryna Sabalenko upset Oleksandr Lukashenko with double mistakes, not declarations of war with Ukraine

Lukashenko claimed the West was responsible for the conflict, which is not shared by tennis’ governing bodies, with players from Russia and Belarus forced to compete under a neutral flag.

The President of Belarus joked that Sabalenka angered him with a large number of double entenders, and not with statements about the war in Ukraine.

“I am also against the war. But why do we need a written statement from an athlete that he is against the war? I have no problem with those who say they are against war. We did not start this war.

But if our athlete, for example, Maksym Nedasekiv, a high jumper, if he comes and performs, and at that moment he does not have our flag, will we be less proud of him, or what?

Or Arina Sabalenko. She won the Australian Open, she beat Rybakin, remember? She was recently beaten by Rybakina (in the Indian Wells final) and then lost to someone in the quarters in Miami (#Sorana Kirstea) or wherever they are now. We all know that.

If Sabalenko spoke under a neutral flag, it would not be a problem for us, because the world already knows that she is from Belarus. Congratulations on the victory, Sabalenka. Why did you lose your last match instead? Six double faults, you almost put the ball in the court (no joke). I will talk to her about it.

I emphasize, they contribute to this war. They started. Big things are visible from a distance. I have only briefly outlined the reasons for this conflict, but later I will give you more and more important reasons. Together with Putin, we will prove to the world that we are not aggressors.

You don’t want us to compete under our flag, fine, we’ll take it down. Although this is a disgusting thing, the most disgusting. Why are you under the flag and we are not?” – Oleksandr Lukashenkoquoted by TennisWorldUSA.

Wimbledon organizers banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from participating in the 2022 London Grand Slam, but this year they will be able to play as “neutrals” and under certain conditions.

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Lesya Tsurenko recently refused to play against Arine in Indian Wells. The athlete from Ukraine reduced everything to a panic attack after talking to the head of the WTA about the war in her country. Sabalenko spoke about this incident at a press conference and, among other things, said that athletes from Russia and Belarus are not to blame for everything that is happening in Ukraine now.

>> The WTA leadership and the decision that should have been made from the beginning regarding the female tennis players of Russia and Belarus