Having been defeated by Elina Svitolina in the 1/16 finals of Wimbledon, Victoria Azarenka respected her opponent’s decision and did not wait for her at the net for a classic handshake. But the gesture of the athlete from Belarus was not understood by the spectators who booed her until she left Court 1 of the All England Club.
>> The most decorated player of Ukraine reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon after defeating the former world leader
Victoria Azarenka believes that no matter what she did, she would be booed
Considering what happened to Vika to be unfair, the journalist asked the former world leader what she thought about what happened.
“I think we agree on that. It wasn’t fair. What if I am the victim? A victim because someone didn’t give me a hand? oh please
She does not shake hands with athletes from Russia and Belarus (because of the war in Ukraine). I respect his decision. What should I have done? Should I sit by the grid and wait for it?
I respect his decision. Should I stay and wait? I couldn’t do anything right, so I did what I thought was respect for his decision.” – Victoria Azarenkaquoted by the BBC.
Azarenka was asked if she was a “victim” after the crowd booed her against Elina Svitolina:
“Victim? A victim of someone not giving me a hand? oh please She does not want to shake hands with Russians and Belarusians. I respect her decision. What should I have done? Did you stay and wait?” pic.twitter.com/C4QyRpyZe3
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 9, 2023
Elina Svitolina wants the world to know that there will be no handshakes between Ukrainians and Russians/Belarusians
This topic was also commented on by Elina Svitolina, who asked tennis leaders to explain that athletes from Ukraine refuse to shake hands with athletes from Russia and Belarus.
“I think that tennis organizations should make a statement on this topic to explain that there will be no handshakes between Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians.
I don’t know if people understand that. Some people don’t really know what’s going on. The same thing happened to me in Paris (she was booed after defeating Arina Sabalenko). It was just as unfair to me there.
I get the impression that when a player loses and there is no handshake, she gets booed. What needs to be done is to report it” – Elina Svitolina.
Elina Svitolina about the crowd booing Azarenka:
“I think that tennis organizations should make a statement that there will be no handshakes between Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians. I don’t know if it’s unclear to people. I think this is the right way.” pic.twitter.com/f71prZ8lJi
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 9, 2023
2019 Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina will face another caliber opponent in the quarters, where she will face Iga Sviatek (world leader and top favorite).
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.
Source: Hot News
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