“I don’t play political games!” Victoria Azarenka explains her absence from the Ukraine fundraiser event
Follow Us
Victoria Azarenka
Last week Belarusian player, Victoria Azarenka pulled out from an exhibition event called Tennis Plays for Peace organized by the US Open. The fundraiser was organised to overlap with Ukraine’s Independence day. Many Ukrainian players spoke out against Azarenka’s participation in the event considering Belarus is one of the most important allies for Russia in the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk was reluctant to participate in the fundraiser if Russian and Belarusian players were participating. She even went on to say, “I did not understand the reason why they called Victoria Azarenka. No one asked the Ukrainian athletes if they wanted any of these players to be present.” Victoria Azarenka recently defeated Kostyuk in the second round of the US Open, 6-2,6-3.
We shouldn’t forget that we are all human: Victoria Azarenka comments on the ongoing tensions
Now World No. 26, Azarenka is throwing some light on what happened. She said in a press conference, “I have been called by the USTA and asked if I would be participating. It’s a no-brainer for me. Like, why wouldn’t I participate in a humanitarian aid for people who are really struggling right now. It’s not even a thought for me at that moment. I thought that when people, you know, asking — the question earlier, when you are asking, You’re not doing enough, you’re not saying enough or not… I thought that this was a gesture that really shows commitment. I’m not sure why it wasn’t taken it that way. I don’t want to judge that, that’s what happened,”
She further added, “If Marta wants to speak with me, like she texted me yesterday, I replied. I’m open to any time to listen, to try to understand, to sympathise. I believe that empathy in the moment like this is really important, which has, again, been my clear message in the beginning.”
Lastly, she said, “I’m going to stand by that, because what’s happening in the world is very difficult right now, but we shouldn’t forget that we are all human. and we should treat each other that way.”
Also read: “No Pressure” Fabio Fognini issues Warning to Rafael Nadal ahead of US Open clash
Stay Updated!
Urvi Shrivastava
(87 Articles Published)