Wiktoria Azarenka (24th WTA) at the Australian Open played her best Grand Slam tournament since the US Open 2020. Then she advanced to the final of the tournament. Since then, in eight consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, she has not even advanced to the quarter-finals. Now in Melbourne she did very well as she reached the semi-finals. In it, she lost to Yelena Rybakina (25th WTA) 6:7 (4-7), 3:6.
“You can interpret this story however you want”
Victoria Azarenka was asked about Russian flags during press conferences. They hung in the stands during the match between Serbian Novak Djokovic (5th ATP) and Russian Andrei Rublev (6th ATP). At one point, the cameras also caught a man in the audience in a T-shirt with a huge letter “Z”. This symbol was used by the Russian army to mark vehicles during the war in Ukraine.
“Whatever answer I give you now will be interpreted as you wish.” Do Russian flags bother me? I’m really worried about what’s going on in the world. Are you a politician or are you involved in politics? Azarenka asked the journalist.
“No, I’m a sports journalist,” he replied.
– And I’m an athlete. You’re asking about things over which I have no control. I don’t know what answer you expect. If it’s a provocative question, then you can interpret the story however you want,” Azarenka added.
These are not the first Russian scandals at this year’s Australian Open. During the first round match between Ukrainian Kateryna Baindl (95th WTA) and Russian Kamilla Rachimowa (110th WTA). When the tournament authorities, the flag of the aggressor’s country appeared during the controversial acts also Karen Khachanov (20th ATP),
In the final of the Australian Open, Rybakina will face Aryna Sabalenka (5th WTA), who defeated Magda Linette (45th WTA) 7:6 (7:1), 6:2.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
