CNN
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quantity 2 on the planet Aryna Sabalenka he didn’t take part in an everyday press convention after his third-round victory French Open on Friday, saying she didn’t really feel protected collaborating in a press convention held earlier this week.
On Wednesday, after successful within the second spherical of the event, the Belarusian she was repeatedly requested at a press convention to touch upon the battle in Ukraine and the function of Belarus, however she repeatedly refused. This continued till the moderator stopped the road of questions.
“After my match I spoke to the media as I usually do,” Sabalenka mentioned on Friday. “I do know they nonetheless anticipate some questions which can be extra about politics and never a lot about my tennis.
“It has been many months since I’ve answered these questions at tournaments and I have been very clear about my emotions and ideas.
“These questions do not trouble me after my matches. I do know I’ve to present solutions to the media about issues not associated to my tennis or my matches, however on Wednesday I did not really feel protected on the press convention.
“I ought to be capable to really feel protected after I do interviews with reporters after my matches. For my very own psychological well being and well-being, I made a decision to get out of this example at this time, and the event supported me on this determination.
“It hasn’t been a straightforward few days, and now my focus is to maintain taking part in nicely right here in Paris.”
As a substitute of holding a press convention on Friday, Sabalenka’s feedback are from an interview launched by event organizers at Roland Garros in Paris, based on Reuters. Normally, participant press conferences are required.
Reuters additionally reported that French Open organizers mentioned they need to “defend” Sabalenka and whether or not she attends every other post-match press conferences will probably be her determination.
CNN has reached out to the French Tennis Federation, organizers of the French Open, for remark.
In 2021, Naomi Osaka of Japan sparked headlines and debate when he introduced he wouldn’t take part in press conferences in the course of the French Open, citing his psychological well being. He later retired in the course of the event, earlier than his second spherical match.
Sabalenka has already fielded some powerful questions at press conferences at Roland Garros, together with one from a journalist who accused her of “performing like Ukrainians hate you” and of “dodging” questions asking her to sentence the battle, with Belarus getting used as a key stage for Russia’s battle in Ukraine.
Sabalenka mentioned in March that she struggled to grasp the “hate” she encountered within the dressing room amid strained relations between some gamers following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Concerning the battle scenario, I’ve mentioned it many, many occasions, no person on this world – Russian athletes, Belarusian athletes – helps the battle. No person. How can we assist the battle? Regular individuals won’t ever assist it,” he mentioned.
Russian and Belarusian gamers proceed to compete within the excursions as impartial athletes with out displaying their flag or nation.