Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka has expressed her dismay and disbelief at Wimbledon fans leaving the court after her thrilling match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.
Azarenka, known for her sportsmanship, found herself on the receiving end of disapproval from the crowd when she respected Svitolina’s decision not to shake hands with Russians or Belarusians because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Despite the roaring support of the Wimbledon crowd, wildcard Svitolina booked her place in the quarter-finals with a stunning 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11-9) win. Azarenka waved her respect as Svitolina celebrated her victory, but the Ukrainian did not respond. However, the scene took an unexpected turn when Azarenka was met with jeers from the crowd as she left Court One.
Azarenka reflected on the incident, questioning what she could have done differently and expressing her respect for Svitolina’s decision not to shake hands. He expressed his frustration at the crowd’s reaction, gesticulating in response before leaving the court.
Svitolina, in response to the British crowd’s hostile reaction, admitted that she could not fully explain the crowd’s reaction. He highlighted that players who do not shake hands after a match are often booed. Svitolina called on tennis organizations to issue a statement clarifying that there would be no handshakes between Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian players until the Ukraine conflict is resolved.
The backlash against Azarenka made for a remarkable and unfortunate end to an intense match. Azarenka hoped that people would pay more attention to the quality of the two players’ tennis than to the handshakes or mob behavior. He emphasized that tennis matches are part of his job and should not be blown out of proportion.
The Wimbledon incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and sensitivities surrounding geopolitical conflicts and sporting expertise on the tennis court. This highlights the need for clear guidelines and communication from tennis organizations to ensure an environment of equal respect and harmony for players and spectators alike.
