Aryna Sabalenka refused the obligatory press conference even after reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open. This was announced by the tournament organizers following the victory of the Belarusian in the round of 16 against Sloane Stephens (7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 4).
Instead, an interview with a WTA employee will be conducted and provided, the statement said. Sabalenka had already refused the media round after her third round match on Friday “in the interests of her own mental health”.
Sabalenka was repeatedly confronted with critical questions in a press conference on Wednesday, but did not want to comment. Among other things, she was asked about reports about her connection to the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko – and whether she would be prepared to “blanketly condemn” the invasion of Ukraine.
The 25-year-old meets the Ukrainian Elena Switolina in a heated match in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, who is strongly committed to fighting the war in her home country.