In 4R of the Ladies Singles at SW19, the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina played against Belarussian Victoria Azarenka. The ladies played a classic three set with a tiebreaker Wimbledon match. With intense and powerful back to back winners from both the players, it was Ukrainian that took the win.
Elina truly fought till the very end for this win. As Vika had started dominating the court, Svito made a hard comeback to finally defeat the former world number 1. Moments after the match were equally intense as the Ukrainian compared this win to be the happiest moment in her life after the birth of her daughter. On the other side, Azarenka was booed off the court by the audience for doing absolutely nothing wrong!
Wimbledon crowd boo Victoria Azarenka off the court
Former world number 3 Elina Svitolina has expressed her opinions and stands by her nation. To support her country, the Ukrainian tennis star took an oath to not shake the hands of players from Russia/ Belarussian players. “I already said multiple times that until Russian troops are out of Ukraine and we take back our territories, I’m not going to shake hands,” Elina reaffirms before the Wimbledon 2023 matches.
On the other hand, Victoria Azarenka made it clear that she does not want to express her opinions on her nation’s politics, she was very respectful to Elina Svitolina after their match. Since Vika was aware of her opponent’s wish to not shake hands with Russian players, she simply waved at her and walked away. The entire crowd start booing Vika as she walks out, leaving the athlete perplexed.
Azarenka made her feelings clear following hostile encounter
Vika has always been very clear with her opinion on politics and bringing politics into the tennis world. The woman just recently spoke up about how reporters had been “dragging players into” things. The former world number one had clearly expressed how she does not have control over the world politics and therefore does not wish to comment on it.
After the crowd had booed her as she walked out of the court, she shakes her head and laughs it out. During the press conference, she talks about how she has no control over the crowd. Their actions reflected that they are not aware of the situation or could be to blame on the drinks that they might have been having, explains Azarenka.
“What should I have done? Stayed and waited?” Azarenka asked reporters. “She doesn’t want to shake hands with Russian, Belarusian people. I respected her decision.”
Victoria Azarenka was asked what she thinks of the crowd booing her:
Vika: “What do you think about it?”
Journalist: “I’m sorry?”
Vika: “How do you think the crowd was in the end? What’s your opinion?
Journalist: “I feel that was very unfair”
Vika: “I think we agree on that” pic.twitter.com/JTeIdr1cbH
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 9, 2023
While Vika thinks that it is unnecessary to ponder on such a small gesture, to be treated that way by the audience at SW19 for having respected her opponent’s wishes was extremely unfair. The athlete put up a power packed fight and this is what she got in return for acknowledging Elina’s wishes. What are your thoughts on Svitolina’s no handshake policy? How do you think Vika handled this? Let us know below!
