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Tag: Sabalenka

  • Sabalenka shuns Olympics to ‘prioritise health’

    Sabalenka shuns Olympics to ‘prioritise health’

    World number three Aryna Sabalenka says she will not compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris in order to prioritise her health.

    The 26-year-old retained her Australian Open title in January but lost to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals.

    That was the first time the Belarusian had lost before the semi-finals of a major since the 2022 French Open.

    The tennis competition at the Games takes place on the clay courts at Roland Garros from 27 July to 4 August, with the US Open beginning 22 days later.

    The US Open – where Sabalenka was runner-up last year – takes place on hard courts.

    “I prefer to have a little rest to make sure physically and health-wise I’m ready for the hard courts,” said Sabalenka. “Especially with all the struggles I’ve been struggling with the last months, I feel I have to take care of my health.

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    “It’s too much for the scheduling and I made the decision to take care of my health.”

    Athletes from Russia and Belarus who qualify for the Games can only compete as neutrals in Paris, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

    Russian men’s world number four Daniil Medvedev is among the players who intend to compete at the Olympics as a neutral athlete.

    Sabalenka is set to play in Berlin as part of her Wimbledon preparations, having reached the semi-finals last year.

    Wimbledon takes place from 1-14 July.

  • It’ll be tough playing bereaved Sabalenka, says Badosa

    It’ll be tough playing bereaved Sabalenka, says Badosa

    Paula Badosa says it will be “uncomfortable” playing “best friend” Aryna Sabalenka this week, following the death of Sabalenka’s boyfriend.

    Konstantin Koltsov, a former ice hockey player, died at the age of 42 in Miami on Monday in what police have described as an “apparent suicide”.

    World number two Sabalenka is still set to play in the Miami Open this week and will meet Badosa in the second round.

    “It’s a very tough situation,” the Spaniard said. “Yesterday I spoke with her. This morning the same.

    “I know the entire situation, what is happening.

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    “That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very tough situation.”

    Koltsov represented Belarus at the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics and also spent three years in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

    The Miami-Dade Police Department said “no foul play is suspected” following the announcement of his death.

    “Playing against her, it’s also uncomfortable,” Badosa, who beat Simona Halep on the Romanian’s return after a doping ban on Tuesday, added.

    “But I don’t really want to talk about it because I said I’m not going to talk about it.

    “She’s my best friend and I promised that. She’s a strong woman. I think she will get the power from somewhere. I hope it’s going to be a battle, a good match.”