Serhiy Stakhovsky (former ATP No. 31) has criticized Aryna Sabalenko (WTA No. 2) after the Belarusian player said she would not answer questions about politics at Wimbledon 2023. The Ukrainian also praised Daria Kasatkina (10 WTA), an athlete from Russia who publicly condemned the war.

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Arina Sabalenko pretends to be a victim / Daria Kasatkina is braver than all Russian players, – Serhiy Stakhovsky

Sabalenka announced on Saturday that she would not answer reporters’ questions about politics, the invasion of Ukraine or Belarusian President Oleksandr Lukashenko, while Stakhovsky said the Wimbledon second favorite was sacrificing himself.

“A year after the start of the war, Sabalenka does not want to answer a direct question whether she as a person condemns the actions of her country.

Last year you could tell that they were afraid for their families, for their relatives, they were afraid that they were being followed in their countries when they spoke. But only a year and a half after the war, when they had the opportunity to leave and take their families with them.

The rest of the tennis world let Wimbledon and Ukraine down by punishing those who were genuinely opposed to the war. Russians and Belarusians should be the first to say: “This is a terrible situation, we do not support our government.” However, they say that sports should be kept out of politics.

On the other hand, it is strange how Sabalenko presents himself as a victim in this situation, it is pathetic. There are a lot of people I’ve competed against, I can’t say I don’t like them, but I’ve completely lost respect for them, not as players, but as people.

Kasatkina has more courage than all Russian players put together. She did an incredibly brave thing. I admire her incredibly. She’s always been a great tennis player, she’s always played a different tennis, but when I heard the interview she gave, I was honestly amazed. I deeply respect her for what she did and for what she said.” – Serhii Stakhovskyi for The Guardian.

Serhii Stakhovsky has been a professional tennis player since 2003, and in 2010 he even reached the 31st place in the world.

The Ukrainian earned more than 5 million dollars in tennis, and the most important victory in his career is the success against Roger Federer at Wimbledon (2013). He last played at the 2022 Australian Open, where he lost in the first round of qualifying.

• In the first round of Wimbledon-2023, Sabalenko will meet with Panna Udvardi (82 WTA), and Daria Kasatkina will meet with Caroline Dolheide (100 WTA).

Wimbledon 2023 will take place from July 3 to 16, and HotNews.ro will keep you updated every day with the latest information from the All England Club.