Belarusian Sabalenka Says Lukashenko’s Comments ‘Not Helping’

Tennis - WTA 500 - Stuttgart Open - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - April 18, 2023 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during a press conference. (Reuters)
Tennis - WTA 500 - Stuttgart Open - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - April 18, 2023 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during a press conference. (Reuters)
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Belarusian Sabalenka Says Lukashenko’s Comments ‘Not Helping’

Tennis - WTA 500 - Stuttgart Open - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - April 18, 2023 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during a press conference. (Reuters)
Tennis - WTA 500 - Stuttgart Open - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - April 18, 2023 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during a press conference. (Reuters)

Aryna Sabalenka said she cannot control what Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says about her and that while his comments may make her even more unpopular on the women's Tour she would "stop the war" in Ukraine if she could.

The world number two spoke last month about the "hate" she encountered in the locker room amid strained relations between some players following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was supported by its ally Belarus.

Lukashenko celebrated Sabalenka's Australian Open victory in January and said more recently that people knew which country she hailed from even if she was playing under a neutral flag.

In March 2022, tennis's governing bodies barred players from Russia and Belarus from competing under the name or flag of either country following the war, requiring them to play under neutral flags.

"I'm pretty sure that it's not helping," Sabalenka told reporters in Stuttgart on Tuesday when asked about Lukashenko's comments. "I don't know what to say because he can comment (on) my game, he can comment whatever he wants to.

"I have nothing to do with politics ... If Ukrainians will hate me more after his speech, then what can I do? If they feel better by hating me, I'm happy to help them with that. They can do that.

"But the rest, if I could stop the war, I would do that, but unfortunately it's not in my hands and it's not under my control."

The 24-year-old said she kept away from the internet as much as possible to avoid reading negative comments.

"I'll be able to focus on myself and on my game and not get too depressed about this situation," she added.

Sabalenka is playing at the Stuttgart Open this week after withdrawing from the Charleston Open with a minor injury. She will face Barbora Krejcikova in the second round of the claycourt event after receiving a bye in the opener.



Sainz Delivering beyond Expectations, Says Williams F1 Boss

 Williams' Spanish driver Carlos Sainz speaks during a press conference at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on April 10, 2025, ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix weekend. (AFP)
Williams' Spanish driver Carlos Sainz speaks during a press conference at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on April 10, 2025, ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix weekend. (AFP)
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Sainz Delivering beyond Expectations, Says Williams F1 Boss

 Williams' Spanish driver Carlos Sainz speaks during a press conference at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on April 10, 2025, ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix weekend. (AFP)
Williams' Spanish driver Carlos Sainz speaks during a press conference at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on April 10, 2025, ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix weekend. (AFP)

Carlos Sainz has scored only a point since joining Williams from Ferrari but team boss James Vowles says the Spaniard is already delivering beyond expectations and they are getting more than they paid for.

Former champions Williams are fifth overall ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix and their 19 points from three races is more than the 17 they took from the whole of last year.

While Thai teammate Alex Albon has been the major contributor, with three successive top-10 finishes, Vowles' said the influence of 30-year-old Sainz had been clear from the start.

"I think we’re getting more than I paid for (him)," the Briton said, adding that performance could be assessed in and out of the car.

"Our car has a very different style of adapting to it than the Ferrari. He's getting there," said Vowles. "He'll be on the money very shortly.

"The car is faster thanks to the work and effort, the work ethic he's put in, and how he really develops with the engineers.

"That's why Carlos was my number one target. It's because he's absolutely brilliant at developing teams, and he’s already bringing that to the table."

Sainz, a four-times race winner now with his fifth Formula One team, joined Williams after losing his place at Ferrari to seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton.

His sole point came in China after he was promoted from 13th when the two Ferraris were disqualified as well as Alpine's Pierre Gasly.

Vowles referred to the Spaniard as a "part-time strategist", a team player whose tactical nous and support for Albon was also contributing to their success.

"He doesn’t have any politics in him whatsoever. He just wants the team to be quicker," he added.

The boss said Albon, who has qualified in the top 10 at every race, was undoubtedly a better driver than last season when Williams finished the campaign ninth of the 10 teams.

"You saw a step from him every single year, and this year he’s really not putting a foot wrong. I can't fault anything that he's doing," he said.

"It’s absolutely on the money in terms of delivering. He knew he had to step up with Carlos in the car, and he has."