2021 N. Osaka (JPN) 2022 A. Barty (AUS) 2023 A. Sabalenka It doesn't come as a surprise because Russian and Belarusian players have been competing under a neutral flag for a while, but BYN (Belarus) is left out of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
Sabalenka becomes first-ever neutral Grand Slam champion as Belarusian abbreviation left off trophy
WTATuesday, 31 January 2023 at 08:08
Aryna Sabalenka became the first-ever neutral grand slam champion after the country Belarus was omitted from the official trophy of the Australian Open.
There was never a grand slam winner which didn't have his country's name abbreviated next to theirs on a grand slam trophy. That is precisely what happened to Aryna Sabalenka as she became the 2023 Australian Open champion. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Sabalenka has been playing as a neutral player due to her country's support for the invasion of Ukraine.
She can't play under the flag or Belarus and it's omitted everywhere including the trophy she just won. It's never happened before and she'll be forever known as the first player to ever have that happen to. It likely won't be the last time as the invasion is set to continue for a while leaving players like Medvedev or even Sabalenka likely to repeat that.
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- 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 relating to the Saudi Regime and, at the same time, triple your bank account with their "gifts".
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
- Bring 'm on already! Cannot wait.MrAndreeva29-10-2024
- First of all, there is only one laughing emoji in her Insta story and not “several”. Also, you may want to check recent articles which has paparazzi photos of her driving a Porsche🤣Lyca29-10-2024
- Just give her some time to develop without constant scrutinyLyca27-10-2024
