Victoria Azarenka, the Belarusian former world No 1, has pulled out of the Tennis Performs for Peace Exhibition aimed toward elevating humanitarian assist for Ukraine due to the sensitivities of the Ukrainian gamers, america Tennis Affiliation mentioned on Wednesday.
With the US Open set to start on Monday, the tournament-long initiative was to launch on Wednesday – Ukraine Independence Day – with the exhibition occasion on the Louis Armstrong Stadium together with ladies’s world No 1 Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe and others.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian gamers together with Marta Kostyuk had been sad that they weren’t made conscious of, or consulted about, Azarenka’s participation within the occasion, particularly one being staged on Ukraine Independence Day.
Belarus is getting used as a staging floor for Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, which it has termed a “particular navy operation”.
“Within the final 24 hours, after cautious consideration and dialogue with all events concerned, Victoria Azarenka is not going to be taking part in our Tennis Performs for Peace Exhibition,” mentioned the USTA in an announcement. “Vika is a powerful participant chief and we respect her willingness to take part. Given the sensitivities to Ukrainian gamers, and the on-going battle, we consider that is the suitable plan of action for us.”
Russian and Belarusian gamers had been banned from enjoying at Wimbledon however shall be allowed to compete at Flushing Meadows within the season’s ultimate grand slam, which runs till 11 September.
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