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There are few certainties in sport, but Wimbledon comes with a few: strawberries and cream, royals in the crowd, rain in the air – and awkward moments at press conferences.
One such exchange happened on day one of the tournament, as two-time grand slam champion Victoria Azarenka fronted up to the media after her 6-4 5-7 6-4 victory over China’s Yuan Yue in the first round.
Azarenka is from Belarus, a former Soviet republic that declared independence in the early 1990s. It borders Russia, and its government, run by President Alexander Lukashenko, is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most steadfast allies.
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That diplomatic partnership has endured despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of last year, which was condemned by most of the international community.
The Lukashenko government’s pro-Russian stance led to its tennis players joining Russia’s in being banned from Wimbledon last year. That controversial decision led to the ATP and WTA, which run the male and female iterations of tennis, to strip the tournament of ranking points.
This year, Russian and Belarusian players are allowed to compete, but on the condition that they do so as neutrals. Each player has signed a declaration that they will not express support for either nation’s government.
Speaking after her win, Azarenka was asked how the crowd had treated her, and whether she’d been worried about the reception she’d get at Wimbledon.
“Honestly, it was really nice. People are very nice,” she said.
“I feel like there is an online part of it, and there is the aura, and for me personally, I experienced very good treatment.
“There are of course some incidents sometimes, but I felt like I was very welcomed. I have been very supported everywhere. And I really appreciate that.
“Today, to hear people say, ‘Let’s go Vika,” and cheering me on, was also why I play, to play in front of the crowd, to put on a good show. So that felt great.”
Azarenka said she felt it was “very easy” for trolls to “hide behind a screen” rather than speak to someone face-to-face.
“I’m the sort of person who only goes straight to the person if I have a problem with somebody, if I have an issue I want to address,” she said.
“A lot of people don’t do that, unfortunately. I think it would be an easier way to manage the disagreements or agreements.”
Next came the awkward moment, as Azarenka suspected a reporter of getting her nationality wrong.
“What does Wimbledon mean to Russia? Is it big over there? Just in terms of the part it plays in culture,” the reporter asked.
“You do know I’m not from Russia, right?” Azarenka shot back.
“Yeah. Just in terms of being on tour, at all, is that something that you have become aware of at all, if it’s significant?” said the journalist.
“You will have to spell it out a bit more directly to me. I’m not understanding the question,” said Azarenka.
“Just in terms of internationally, how you see Wimbledon’s culture and how big a tournament you see it as, internationally? You have obviously played in Russia in the past. How significant do you feel the tournament is?” said the reporter.
“OK, so let me just clarify. You’re asking me how big do I feel that Wimbledon is on the international stage? Or what it means to me?” she pressed.
“I actually meant on the international stage and just being on tour. It’s just a question we were asking around its impact in Russia. This is the first time that Russian players are allowed here, this year,” said the reporter.
“OK. I will answer the part about the international view of Wimbledon, (though) I don’t know if I’m an expert to give you a proper opinion,” said Azarenka.
“It’s a poor question, sorry,” said the reporter.
“Yes, it is, but I’ll still answer it,” Azarenka quipped.
“I think on the international stage, Wimbledon is undoubtedly one of the biggest tennis events, and it’s always been. So it’s iconic. It is iconic.
“How it is in Russia? I’m not from Russia. I can’t really tell you how it feels in Russia.”
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