"Who gonna believe Belarusian girl": Sabalenka claims she has been on the end of abuse regarding war, hits back at Tsurenko comments

Aryna Sabalenka has distanced herself from allegations made by Tsurenko's coach who alleged that Sabalenka theoretically support the war.

The Belarussian responded to those allegations following her win over Sakkari in Indian Wells. Her response was centred around the simple fact that players are not really responsible for the actions of their government nor they can impact it:

"Nobody can control emotions of others, you know. And I think WTA are doing their best to kind of control it. Yeah, of course it's a lot of tension between us. I mean, I'm still have this belief that I did nothing bad to Ukraines; not me, not Russian athletes, not Belarusian athletes, not one of us did something bad. Even some of us are like helping. Like not like, how to say, publicly, yes."

She further said:

"So what else I can say? I think WTA are doing really great job to support both sides, and whatever -- I mean, I cannot control their emotions. I was through so many bad things, and unfortunately, I'm not able to say that because who gonna believe Belarusian girl. I mean, talking about her coach. I have been through also through hell, and I understand that... I don't know."

On the Tsurenko withdrawal specifically, Sabalenka added:

"Yeah, I mean, I think Tsurenko withdraw, there was more than panic attack or more than political situation. I think there is something more. I had really tough situation last year with her coach the way he act to me. So I think that guy put so much pressure on her, and that's why that happen," Aryna Sabalenka said.

And concluded with:

"It's nothing to do with WTA. I mean, they are doing their best job. What they can do? Nobody of us have this control in this situation. All of us just trying to, you know, keep the calmest in the locker room and keep understanding that there is no our fault and that all of us understand Ukrainians, and we really feel bad for them, you know.