SAB SWERVES PRESS CALL TO ‘FEEL SAFE’

BELARUSIAN Aryna Sabalenka refused to hold a post-match press conference at the French Open for her “mental health and well-being”. And the Australian Open champion, who clashed with a Ukrainian journalist about the war after the second round, claimed: “On Wednesday, I did not feel safe in the press conference”.

After her 6-2 6-2 win over Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round yesterday, world No.2 Sabalenka (left) only spoke to a WTA employee with the agreement of the French Open. The Belarusian said: “After my last match, I spoke with the media like I normally do.

“I know they still expect some questions that are more about politics and not so much about my tennis.

“For many months now, I have answered these questions and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me.

“I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday I did not feel safe in the press conference. I should be able to feel safe when I do interviews with journalists.

“For my own mental health and well-being, I have decided to take myself out of this situation, and the tournament has supported me. It hasn’t been an easy few days, and now my focus is to continue to play well here in Paris.”

In 2021, Naomi Osaka was fined $15,000 for refusing to speak to the media on mental health grounds after her first round win and threatened with expulsion. The Japanese star then withdrew from the tournament.

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (circled) beat Russian Anna Blinkova 2-6 6-2 7-5. “I am really motivated to go further in this tournament,” she said.

World No.3 Jessica Pegula lost 6-1 6-3 to Elise Mertens.