Turning the tables 🔄 @adrianmannarino takes 1️⃣1️⃣ of the last 12 games to defeat Wawrinka 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-0. #AusOpen • #AO2024
"I’m a professional tennis player. I’m not into politics or anything": Adrian Mannarino forced to defend playing Russian exhibition sponsored by Gazprom
ATPMonday, 15 January 2024 at 23:00
Adrian Mannarino (No. 19) secured a marathon victory against Stan Wawrinka (No. 56) in the debut of the 2024 Australian Open with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0. During the press conference, the Frenchman addressed the controversy surrounding his participation in the Northern Palmyra Trophies exhibition, sponsored by Gazprom.
The company is a major energy giant predominantly owned by the Russian government. Amidst the war with Ukraine, Russia is prohibited from hosting ATP events; however, tennis players are free to participate in exhibition matches in the country.
“I’m not into politics or anything”
Lesia Tsurenko, currently ranked world No. 33, recently criticized the tennis players who participated in the exhibition, mentioning Mannarino as one of the players who did not respond to her messages requesting them not to participate. When asked if he had spoken with Tsurenko, Mannarino said, "I had no contact with her, so I don’t know." Other players such as Roberto Bautista Agut and Laslo Djere also participated in the event.
Mannarino emphasized that his participation does not imply support for any side and that he is simply doing his job as a professional tennis player. He stated, "I’m a professional tennis player. I’m not into politics or anything. I just went there. I did my job. That’s what I did." He clarified, "I’m not supporting anything. That was a private event. That was not anything about political support. There’s nothing to talk about," as the world No. 19 added.
Mannarino to second-round
World No. 19 Adrian Mannarino is experiencing the best moment of his career and advanced to the second round at the expense of the 3-times Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in a tough match. Mannarino commented on the match, saying, "That was pretty intense. The conditions were not easy," during a press conference afterwards.
"It was important for me to win the match, so that's what I've done finally. I don't really care about what happened, how I've played, and everything. I mean, I just hit the ball, and I got the win at the end, so I'm happy with that."
"I probably got lucky a little bit in the fourth set. I got broken. I felt like he was in control, and we had the new balls, and I started to return a little bit better. Then suddenly it switched a little bit."
Mannarino will face the Spanish player Jaume Munar (No. 82) in the second round, who secured victory against Alexander Shevchenko (No. 48) in the first round with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
claps 0visitors 134
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Rybakina is back!!
mandoist21-12-2024 - She sems to have a turbulent relationship with The Truth. Not even smartenough to make an excuse like "I severely twisted my ankle yesterday" -- then be seen shopping in some city next day while "recuperating"!mandoist21-12-2024
- Why do you even publish this TwatCaster's PATHETIC stunt for attention? There's plenty of reasons why imbeciles like him are 'talking' and people like Iga Swiatek are 'walking the walk'. Tennisuptodate should be above this tripe.mandoist16-12-2024
- If and when Political Correctness and gullible hearts over-rule BIOLOGY, the Human world begins its already seeming decline.mandoist15-12-2024
- The new generation has arrived and these guys need to do it with the left overs.
AceOfBase13-12-2024 - Every young, inexperiend CEO has "better" ideas (and friends to hire).mandoist12-12-2024
- What a load of nonsense. Emotional stress definitely didn’t cause her wrist or ankle injuries.Lyca10-12-2024
- Taylor Fritz 🎾 – the surprising third for many. 🎄 A great Christmas tree quiz question! 🎅✨MrAndreeva10-12-2024
- Simona Halep taking the axe out 🪓😮💨MrAndreeva08-12-2024
- ITIA is literally a Secret Organization. Way past time for a neutral entity to oversee, if not guide, these Elitists within ITIA whom enjoy their ability to keep their "investigations" in a business as usual format behind closed doors!!mandoist08-12-2024
