INDIAN WELLS, United States, March 18, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Russia's invasion of
Ukraine continues to stir tension in the tennis world, and Belarusian Aryna
Sabalenka said Friday that it's not only Ukrainian players who are feeling
the strain.

"Of course it's a lot of tension between us," Australian Open champion
Sabalenka said after beating Maria Sakkari to reach the final of the combined
WTA and ATP Masters 1000 in the California desert.

But, she added, "I still have this belief that I did nothing bad to
Ukrainians -- not me, not Russian athletes."

The WTA and ATP tours have barred players from Russia and its ally Belarus
from competing under their national flags, but insist that individual
athletes have a right to compete.

Wimbledon, which banned players from Russia and Belarus last year, is
reportedly poised to allow them to return.

Sabalenka, who said before the tournament that she wrestled with guilt last
year but finally concluded that the situation was not her fault, was thrust
into the spotlight again this week when Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko withdrew
from their third-round match.

Tsurenko later told the Big Tennis of Ukraine portal that she had a panic
attack, the overwhelming emotions coming days after a conversation with WTA
chief executive Steve Simon about the ongoing tensions related to the war in
which she found Simon unsupportive.

Sabalenka said she felt the WTA had been even handed in dealing with players
from all countries.

"I was through so many bad things, and unfortunately, I'm not able to say
that because who is gonna believe Belarusian girl," she said.

"I think Tsurenko withdrawing, there was more than panic attack or more than
political situation.

"I think there is something more. I had a 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 happened.

"It's nothing to do with WTA. They are doing their best job. None of us have
control in this situation.

"All of us (are) just trying to keep calm in the locker room ... all of us
understand Ukrainians and we really feel bad for them."

World number one Iga Swiatek of Poland said she understood Tsurenko's
decision, however.

"Honestly I respect Ukrainian girls so much, because if a bomb landed in my
country or if my home was destroyed, I don't know if I could handle that,
honestly, and play on WTA and compete."