According to Elena Rybakina, It’s Beneficial For Russian and Belarusian Players to Participate in tournaments. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, players from Russia and Belarus have been facing criticism and hostility from fans and even other players in the locker room.
Rybakina shared her thoughts on the issue during a press conference at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. She believes that it is appropriate to permit Russian and Belarusian players to compete, particularly given the limitations that have been imposed on them.
“I think it’s the right thing that they are going to play since all tour they have been playing, and they have already restriction. It’s no flag, no anything,” – Rybakina said.
Elena Rybakina Said It’s Beneficial For Russian and Belarusian Players to Participate in Tournament
Elaborating further, she said: – “I think that it’s good to play for them, and everybody as a player wants to play in the biggest tournaments.“
In the past, Rybakina has expressed her viewpoint on Russian and Belarusian Players.
“I mean, when I heard this, this is not something you want to hear because we are playing sport. Everybody wants to compete. They were not choosing where they born,” – the Kazakh said in a press conference at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.
Afterwards, the athlete who was born in Russia urged for peace and an immediate resolution to the conflict.
“I just want the war to end as soon as possible. Peace, yeah,” – she stated.
Elena Rybakina Switched Nationality From Russian to Kazakh in 2018
As per Russian and Belarusian Players, Elena Rybakina originally hails from Moscow, Russia. However, in 2018, she made the decision to change her nationality after receiving financial assistance from the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation.
During her junior years, Rybakina played for Russia. After achieving a spot in the top 200 on the WTA tour, the 23-year-old began competing under the Kazakhstan flag. Her first Grand Slam appearance was in the qualifiers for the 2018 US Open, where she represented her new country.
On multiple occasions, Rybakina has expressed that she has moved on from her Russian roots and fully identifies as a Kazakhstani.
After her defeat in the Miami Open final, Rybakina began her clay season in Stuttgart and achieved a remarkable 7-5, 6-3 victory over Jule Niemeier on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Rybakina is scheduled to compete against Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round.
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