Aryna Sabalenka issues a plea hoping Wimbledon will be ‘a bit more open’ to Russian and Belarusian players
Aryna Sabalenka is hopeful that Wimbledon will allow Russian and Belarusian players in next year's Championships.
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Aryna Sabalenka
Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka has issued a plea to Wimbledon to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete in 2023 after banning them this year. She has responded to the talks of a potential second ban the second year in a row which will affect the world No. 5 and some other players. The 24-year-old spoke from Dubai where she is participating in the World Tennis League.
The All England Club had banned players from the two nations in response to the war in Ukraine. The decision was criticized by many of the affected and other as well. The ATP and the WTA penalized Wimbledon by stripping ranking points from the tournament this year as their response to the ban.
“I think I have zero control over this situation. I’m just sitting and waiting for the decision. And whatever happens, happens,” Sabalenka said during the ongoing World Tennis League event in Dubai as reported by Express.
The Club is expected to announce its decision in April during the spring press conference. Earlier too, Sabalenka responded to the suggestions of a possible ban. “If they’re going to ban us for another year, okay, whatever, I’m going to have fun at home in Miami,” she remarked.
Career highlights and major achievements of Aryna Sabalenka
Belarusian professional tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka turned pro in 2015. Sabalenka reached her first-ever WTA semifinal at the Tashkent Open in 2017. Sabalenka ascended to the top 10 ranking for the first time in 2019 which was the watershed year for her career as she further rose to prominence after that year.
Sabalenka achieved her career-best ranking of 2 in August 2021. Alongside Elise Mertens, Sabalenka has won two Grand Slam doubles titles, the 2019 US Open, and the 2021 Australian Open. Her total career title number stands at sixteen, including singles and doubles.
As the 2023 season starts in a week, Sabalenka will be heading straight to Australia to after her stint in Dubai. She will be participating in the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne Park. Prior to that, the 24-year-old will feature in the Adelaide International tournament.
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