“I don’t support Lukashenko”: Belarusian Sabalenka opposes the war in Ukraine

Between these two, only the scorching sun in Philippe-Chatrier’s courtyard could warm the atmosphere. It’s 2:46 p.m. on June 6, and the quarterfinals of the women’s draw between Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka have just concluded. The second won 6-4, 6-4 in just over 90 minutes of action. At the end, Sabalenka waits in the middle of the court, holding onto the net, to greet her opponent. Svitolina turns her head, walks past with her head bowed, and heads to her chair. At the same time, this provokes whistles from the central platform. Yes, he whistles when we expected the opposite: mass support for his impoliteness. Before the match, both players also did not share any photos online. “I don’t know why she waited,” the Ukrainian said after the meeting. My statements were very clear regarding the handshake. “Echoing this, the Belarusian will explain: “I don’t know. It was just instinct, like I always do after all my matches.”

Aryna Sabalenka, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, is a Belarusian who hails from a country that was Russia’s ally in the war in Ukraine. But it was Elina Svitolina, a Ukrainian, who was booed by most of the central audience. “It surprised me too,” Juliette notes as she leaves Chatrier. I thought that everyone would turn against Sabalenka for political reasons. But that’s not true. People welcomed the player, a representative of the political regime. “From the very beginning of the tournament, Sabalenko had to answer the question: “Do you support your regime, which is fighting against Ukraine?” She intervened at the very beginning of the tournament (“no one in this world, including Russian and Belarusian athletes, supports this war”), before twice refusing to appear before the media.

“I’m just a tennis player, not a political activist”

She admitted that she “felt unsafe during the previous press conference. “I felt like the journalist was trying to put words in my mouth,” she says. I didn’t feel comfortable. “On Tuesday she met with the international, and therefore the Ukrainian, press. “Why didn’t I come before you after the last two rounds?” – she told the crowded hall. I wasn’t feeling well, I wasn’t sleeping well, and I didn’t want my press conferences to turn into a political meeting. I say this and I will say it again: I am just a 25-year-old tennis player, not a political activist or representative of my country’s regime. I am against war and all forms of violence. I do not support the war, which means I do not support Lukashenko now. How can I say this more clearly? I’m in the semi-finals of Roland Garros and I just want to focus on my game.” In Belarus, citizens who criticize the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko are putting themselves in danger.

During the game, the second racket of the world received encouragement from the stands: “Come on Sabalenka.” Gael Monfils’ partner apparently also received support. We noticed several Ukrainian flags, actually quite large pocket squares, in the stadium. At the entrance, spectators with large yellow and blue flags in the colors of Ukraine were forced to leave. Officially because of their size, not because of their political message. Here is the explanation from the organizers: “In addition, the internal rules of the stadium stipulate that spectators must not create any interference with the normal course of the tournament by their attitude, behavior or words. It is prohibited to display or display any symbols that may convey a political message. (…) In all cases, flags whose widest edge exceeds 100 cm are prohibited.”

No distinctive Russian or Belarusian markings are allowed on either Roland Garros grounds, although players from these two countries are allowed to enter. If Aryna Sabalenka wins the final on Saturday, which is quite possible, she will not be entitled to her anthem. To reach the final, Sabalenka will face Czech Karolina Muchova (43rd seed) on Thursday, having defeated Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-2 earlier in the day. This time there will be no question of refusing a handshake.