Victoria Azarenka of Belarus out of the #USOpen exhibition match for Ukraine, per USTA decision.
Azarenka out of Tennis Plays for Peace pre-US Open exhibition due to "sensitivities to Ukrainian players"
WTAWednesday, 24 August 2022 at 18:57
Victoria Azarenka will not play at this evening's Tennis Plays for Peace exhibition which is due to take place in the lead up to the US Open to support Ukraine.
Azarenka as a Belarusian was under heavy criticism for her involvement with Marta Kostyuk, a prominent Ukrainian player saying she didn't play in the exhibition due to the former World No.1's involvement.
It is an exhibition which is still to go ahead with World No.1 Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe and others involved.
"In the last 24 hours, after careful consideration and dialogue with all parties involved, Victoria Azarenka will not be participating in our Tennis Plays for Peace Exhibition,” said the USTA in a statement.
“Vika is a strong player leader and we appreciate her willingness to participate. Given the sensitivities to Ukrainian players, and the on-going conflict, we believe this is the right course of action for us.”
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mandoist03-11-2024 - Players need to STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY THEIR INCLUSION! They are not ambassadors for women in Saudi Arabia, they are not politicians, and they will never make a difference for females in that 'culture'. This little tennis "tournament" changes nothing. Players were lured by the money, opted to participate, and should just keep their predictable excuses and Women's Freedom Fairy Tales to themselves. Period. Like most things in Life -- one cannot make an argument against the Saudi Regime and, at the same time, triple your bank account with their "gifts".mandoist03-11-2024
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