Sabalenka answers limited questions in Roland-Garros press conference ‘for mental health and wellbeing’, post-Osaka

The world No 2 gave a press conference after her third-round win over Kamilla Rakhimova, but it was a rather different one from usual

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her third round match against Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova at Roland-Garros in 2023 (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

June 2, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka began her press conference on Friday at Roland-Garros with a statement reflecting on her last meeting with the media, two days prior, when she had a heated exchange with a Ukrainian journalist.

“After my match I spoke with the media like I normally do. I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis.

“For many months now I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches. 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 press conference.

“I should be able to feel safe when I do interviews with the journalists after my matches. For my own mental health and wellbeing, I have decided to take myself out of this situation today, and the tournament has supported me in this decision.

“It hasn’t been an easy few days, and now my focus is continue to play well here in Paris.”

Reminiscent of Naomi Osaka in 2021

Sabalenka then answered questions from journalists selected by the tournament, none of which related to the war in Ukraine or her views on it.

The Belarusian’s mention of mental health was immediately reminiscent of Naomi Osaka’s showdown with the tournament and with the media in 2021. The Japanese star had announced ahead of the tournament that she intended to skip her media obligations, writing on social media: “I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes’ mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one.” She was fined before she withdrew from that year’s competition altogether.

The tournament said in 2021 that they had tried to open a dialogue with Osaka to avoid such drastic measures, but had not been able to contact her.