World Tennis Association star Aryna Sabalenka recently expressed her sadness over the troubling impact of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. According to the three-time Grand Slam champion, sports as a whole should remain independent and not be overshadowed by politics.
Aryna Sabalenka Expresses Sadness Over Playing Without Belarusian Flag
The admission from Sabalenka came after the Belarusian player’s unexpected defeat at the Berlin Open semifinals against Markéta VondrouÅ¡ová.
The International Tennis Federation has ordered tennis players from Belarus and Russia to compete as neutrals at Grand Slams, which means that no flag, name, or symbol of their country will be displayed. The rule came into existence after Belarus supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
During an interview following her exit from Berlin, the WTA star was asked about how she feels after playing without the Belarusian flag next to her name. Expressing disappointment about the matter, she showed zero tolerance against the interference of politics in sports.
“Sports shouldn’t be involved in politics,” she said, according to Jonathan Crane, a reporter for the German publication Deutsche Welle. “I was always proud to represent a small country like Belarus. Everyone knows where I was born. So at the end of the day, there is no difference.”
🤔 Should sports be involved in politics?
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka told DW she’s not thrilled about having to still compete under a neutral flag 👀 pic.twitter.com/bTDfsLhAO8
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) June 21, 2025
Sabalenka was born in Minsk, Belarus, in 1998, where she first began training. She has represented Belarus in international competition, including at the Billie Jean King Cup.
This isn’t the first time politics have gotten in her way. Sabalenka was banned from entering Wimbledon in 2022 when the All England Club barred Russian and Belarusian players from competing.
She’s spoken about this issue before. In a January 2025 interview with Harper’s Bazaar Australia/New Zealand, the 27-year-old said she hopes athletes won’t have to deal with this kind of thing again.
“It is really sad to see that sports are involved in politics in many ways, because I feel like sport was created to avoid some of the more difficult times. I really hope that we’re not going to face it again. I think people will learn that sport has nothing to do with politics,” she said.
After missing Wimbledon last year with a shoulder injury, Sabalenka is expected to return this summer. Her last match on Centre Court came in 2023 during a semifinal against Ons Jabeur.
She’s set to start her campaign on Monday, June 30.
