Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, who was knocked out of the event by Ukranian 23-year-old Dayana Yastremska earlier right this moment, has refused to reply a query in regards to the on-court influence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka was defeated within the fourth spherical of the Australian Open.Credit score: Alex Ellinghausen
Azarenka’s residence nation Belarus, an ally of Russia that has supported its invasion of the Ukraine.
Azarenka lives in Florida and in March, 2022, launched a press release on X, previously generally known as Twitter, to state her heartbreak of the “actions which have taken place”, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, aided by Belarus.
She “declare[d] her dismay and nice disappointment on the occasions [in Ukraine]“, including: “I’ve at all times seen … Ukrainian and Belarusian folks [and] nations … [as] pleasant and supportive of each other.
“It’s laborious to witness the violent separation that’s at the moment happening as a substitute of supporting and discovering compassion for one another.”
In a post-match press convention after her fourth spherical defeat, the 18th seed was requested whether or not enjoying towards a Ukranian added extra stress to the match, and the way the environment felt at Rod Laver Area.
“The environment was good. I at all times get pleasure from enjoying in Australia … I at all times have a lot help right here. And yeah, I want I might’ve performed longer right here. It wasn’t meant to be,” Azarenka mentioned.
The journalist requested once more in regards to the stress, at which level the moderator interjected and requested for an additional query.
The identical reporter repeated the query. Azarenka turned to the moderator and mentioned: “Subsequent query.”
