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Together with V. Azarenka, more Belarusians participated in the US Open tournament: up to five women and one man crossed at least one stage of the tournament.
Although the Lukashenko regime and its magnifying glass, the Belarusian media tend to pay a lot of attention to athletes, especially hockey and tennis players, this time little is said about it, focusing on the protests in the country after the elections presidential rigged.
According to Olga Govorcova, who left the US Open in the second stage, sports in Belarus are not important at the moment. She acknowledged having been in close contact with relatives in her hometown who are not actively participating in the ongoing protests.
“But they see that many people are going to protest. Sometimes they are even afraid to go out, “said the athlete, who is training in Florida.
Another Belarusian tennis player, Arina Sabalenka, was the fifth racket at the US Open, but in the second stage she landed with her compatriot V. Azarenka.
„Scanpix“ nuotr./Aryna Sabalenka
The Belarusian, who is ranked 11th in the WTA rankings, admitted that when she arrived in the United States, she was concerned for the safety of family members who remained in her homeland.
A. Sabalenka said that during the first tournament he could not fall asleep and waited for messages from his mother.
“I was very worried about her and didn’t write in my posts. I forgot that the Internet was not working in Belarus and I remembered calling. After hearing her voice, I felt better and was able to sleep, ”said the athlete, adding that anxiety had plagued her for at least a few weeks.
Both O. Govorcova and A. Sabalenka tried to get the world’s attention when the protests began on social media. The latter wrote: “I cannot look at cruelty against defenseless people. Please stop the violence. “
However, the youngest Belarusian tennis player, Vera Lepko, 21, mainly talks about the events in her home country.
She herself participated in the protests in Minsk before leaving for the United States.
“There were a lot of people. They all behaved peacefully. They were all happy to express their opinion, their emotions about what was happening. It was a lot of fun being with them,” said V. Lepko.
While playing in the US Open, he wore red and white clothing, the traditional Belarusian flag used by protesters as their symbol.
“I want to show that I am with the people,” said the young tennis player.
For his part, V. Azarenka, who is currently preparing for the US Open final, invited A. Lukashenko to meet in 2010 after Caroline Wozniacki competed in a friendly match in Minsk. The president of the country did not hesitate to agree.
2017 In an interview with The New York Times, the Belarusian recalled that a meeting with Lukashenko, where they talked about tennis, had lasted seven hours.
“My mother thought she was kidnapped,” Azarenka said.
After admitting that he was joking, Azarenka now speaks much more seriously about the politics of his country and its president.
“It just came to our attention then. I can’t be there and understand the whole situation, which makes me sad – said Azarenka. – Very sad and difficult to speak. I hope the violence in Belarus ends, because it hurts to see. I can’t even speak without tears in my eyes. “
Photo by Scanpix / Victoria Azarenka
After defeating Sabalenka last week, the Belarusian hoped her compatriots had seen the duel.
“What is happening in Belarus is close to me. Now I do not know what could happen. I have always thought that sport is the most important holiday in our country, – said Azarenka. – And now no sport has been practiced for a long time. the fact that the two Belarusians fight at the highest level is important. I hope people were able to enjoy it. “
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