Aryna Sabalenka Addresses Her Nationality Change Following Ban on Belarus Representation

Aryna Sabalenka has been playing under a neutral flag since February 2022.

Aryna Sabalenka Addresses Her Nationality Change Following Ban on Belarus Representation

Aryna Sabalenka (via X/Aryna Sabalenka fan)

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Since 2022, Russian and Belarusian flags have not been flown in the WTA and ATP. The reason for that comes after the Ukraine invasion by Russia, and Belarus’ support for Vladimir Putin’s government in the conflict. Since then, several players have changed their sporting nationality, but Aryna Sabalenka has noted that she won’t join them.

Sabalenka hails from Belarus and was playing under the flag until February 2022 – when Russia invaded Ukraine. The tennis authorities were forced to make a decision concerning Russia and Belarus due to the conflict. The chiefs decided that Russians and Belarusians would participate in competitions only under a neutral banner.

The situation has forced several players, such as Daria Kasatkina, Kamilla Rakhimova, Anastasia Potapova, Maria Timofeeva, Ksenia Efremova, and Elina Avanesyan to change nationality. Sabalenka didn’t take part in the 2022 Wimbledon Championships due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players.

Also, players from those two countries have been banned from team events as well. Coincidentally, Sabalenka rose to fame at the Billie Jean King Cup in 2017 following her heroics for Belarus. She helped her country reach the final of the tournament but lost the title to the United States of America.

During an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored Show, Sabalenka was asked if she has any plans of changing her sporting nationality, to which she replied:

I have always been really proud to represent such a small country, and I take it as you know I’m an inspiration for the young kids there, and you know, for example, changing nationality, it’s not the case for me. Because I don’t want to betray all those kids. I would like to represent Belarus just for the kids from that country to see me competing on a high level and get inspired by me, and hopefully by my example, I’ll show them that if I was able to make it from that little country in the world, make it all the way to the top.

Sabalenka ended the season following a dominant performance on the court. She won four titles, including the US Open in New York, and reached the semi-finals of all the Grand Slams. This year, it was only at the Dubai Tennis Championships and Qatar Open that she crashed out in the early rounds.

Aryna Sabalenka doesn’t agree with the criticism about the Battle of the Sexes

Aryna Sabalenka is set to face Nick Kyrgios at the Battle of the Sexes exhibition clash in Dubai on December 28. The World No.1’s clash with the former World No.13 has been heavily criticized in the past month. Several former players have voiced their frustration about the tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios
Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios (Image via X/ESPN)

However, some people see it as harmless entertainment between two high-profile players, but others see it as a way that could belittle the women’s game if Sabalenka loses. During an interview with BBC Sport, Sabalenka was asked if it could damage women’s tennis. The Belarusian replied:

I don’t agree. Iam not putting myself at any risk. We’re there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins. It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that. This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level.

The last Battle of the Sexes clash was between Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova in 1992. Connors won the match. However, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in 1973, which is considered to be the most iconic among these clashes.

Also Read: Nick Kyrgios Claims What Needs to Happen for Alex de Minaur to Win the Australian Open 2026