Aryna Sabalenka clashed with a Ukrainian journalist after continuing her French Open campaign with victory over compatriot Iryna Shymanovich.
A reporter confronted the World No.2 about previously supporting President Lukashenko while Belarusians were being tortured in the street, the same reporter who also quizzed her surrounding the war in Ukraine.
"I’ve not to comments to you, so thank you for your question,” she responded.
When the journalist tried to ask a second question asking her to condemn the war instead of saying all athletes were against it, she stood firm after the initial question.
"I've got no comments for you" in reply. The reporter continued to probe saying: "So you basically support everything because you cannot speak up? You're not a small person, Aryna."
In the end as it seemed like Sabalenka wasn't going to answer, a moderator stopped it. "She's made it clear she's not going to answer" as Sabalenka said "First of all yes". The final word went to the reporter who said. “Now we know everything. It’s all clear.”
Sabalenka was asked about supporting Lukashenko when Belarusians were being tortured for protesting. Reporter: “You signed a letter to support Lukashenko, when he was torturing protestants. How is it possible the potential #1 supports a dictator?” Aryna: “I have no comments.”
