Aryna Sabalenka gets honest about being denied Wimbledon participation in 2022: "Sad to see sports involved in politics"
Aryna Sabalenka recently opened up about having to sit out Wimbledon 2022 due to her national Belarusia's involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Belarusian superstar was prohibited from competing at the event alongside the likes of Daria Kasatkina, Victoria Azarenka, and others.
Belarus had provided the launching pad and weaponry for Russian troops during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Following the tragic events, Wimbledon was successfully pressured to ban players from Russia and Belarus for its 2022 edition. On the men's side Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, and others had to sit out.
Aryna Sabalenka recently graced the cover of Harper's Bazaar Australia and their social media page shared some glimpses from the photoshoot. She also sat for an interview with them, where she opened up about being denied to compete at Wimbledon 2022.
“It is really sad to see that sports are involved in politics in many ways, because I feel like sport was created to avoid some of the more difficult times. I really hope that we’re not going to face it again. I think people will learn that sport has nothing to do with politics,” Sabalenka said.
She also touched upon how one's responsibilities increase the higher one ranks.
“The higher you rank, the more responsibilities [you have],” Sabalenka observes. “At the end of the day, I decide what I stand for and there is no pressure for me … If I feel like standing for something, I will do it. I always am honest and true to myself.”
The World No. 1 donned a Meryll Rogge jacket with a Tiffany & Co. HardWear Bold Graduated Link necklace for her cover picture. In another one of the pictures, she wore a Gucci jacket with Montce bikini bottoms. Her look was completed with Tiffany & Co. HardWear Medium Link earrings.
Sabalenka has put the aforementioned traumatic experience in the past and has since become a two-time Grand Slam champion and the World No. 1.
Aryna Sabalenka will go for a three-peat at the 2025 Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka faced 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in her maiden Grand Slam final at the 2023 Australian Open. The Belarusian staged an impressive comeback from a set down to finally clinch the elusive Major 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Sabalenka exuded phenomenal confidence in 2024 and successfully defended her crown with an emphatic run, dropping no set en route. She decimated Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2 to successfully reclaim her crown.
Aryna Sabalenka will head into the 2025 Australian Open on the back of a huge triumph at the Brisbane International. She is slated to be the top seed and will be going for a three-peat of titles, a feat previously achieved by legends such as Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, and Steffi Graf.