Aryna Sabalenka expresses joy over her return to the All England Club for Wimbledon 2023

Aryna Sabalenka Overjoyed to Return to Wimbledon

In a surprising turn of events, Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has expressed her immense happiness at being back on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon. This comes after last year’s heart-wrenching experience that reduced her to tears as she watched the tournament from the comfort of her own home.

Last year, Russian and Belarusian players were banned from participating in the grass-court Grand Slam due to their nations’ involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. For Sabalenka, who reached the semi-finals in 2021 and is considered one of this year’s favorites, missing out on Wimbledon was particularly devastating.

“I really missed this place. I can’t believe that I’m here,” Sabalenka emotionally shared during a recent press conference. “Last year, I couldn’t bring myself to watch much of Wimbledon. It made me feel so awful.”

Recalling those difficult moments from last summer, she continued, “Every time it would be on TV, all I could do was cry uncontrollably. So eventually, I made the tough decision to distance myself from Wimbledon altogether.”

Tennis Only: A Focus on Sport

The Australian Open champion began her pre-tournament news conference by setting boundaries right away – no talk about politics allowed. After experiencing an uncomfortable encounter with a Ukrainian reporter questioning her stance on the war during open news conferences at Roland Garros last month, Sabalenka decided it was best for everyone involved if discussions centered solely around tennis.

“I’m here today only to talk about my love for tennis,” she firmly stated while urging respect for her wishes.

Strict Conditions for Participation

Last year’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players was a direct consequence of the Ukrainian invasion. To secure their place in this year’s Wimbledon, athletes from these nations were required to sign a personal declaration of neutrality.

This meant that they could not express support or allegiance towards the invasion itself or either Russian president Vladimir Putin or Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.

Sabalenka has been vocal about her disapproval of President Lukashenko due to his backing of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. However, she made it clear that discussing politics during this tournament would be off-limits.

Wimbledon’s Donation to Ukraine Relief

In light of the controversial decision to lift the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, Wimbledon decided to donate over £500,000 to support relief efforts in Ukraine. This gesture acknowledges the difficulties faced by those affected by ongoing conflicts and reaffirms their commitment to global unity through sport.

A Hopeful Return

As Sabalenka prepares herself mentally for her return to Wimbledon, she holds no expectations regarding how she will be received by the crowd. All she desires is their unwavering support as she competes on one of tennis’ most prestigious stages once again.