Belarusian star Victoria Azarenka won’t play in the ‘Tennis Plays for Peace Exhibition’ to raise humanitarian aid for Ukraine, after organisers took account of the sensitivities of the Ukrainian players.
The initiative was launching on Wednesday – Ukraine Independence Day – with the exhibition event at Louis Armstrong Stadium including women’s world No.1 Iga Swiatek, Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe and others.
But Ukrainian players such as Marta Kostyuk were unhappy that they were not made aware of, or consulted about, Azarenka’s participation in the event, especially one being staged on Ukraine Independence Day.
Belarus is being used as a staging ground for Russia’s war in Ukraine, which it has termed a “special military operation”.
“In the last 24 hours, after careful consideration and dialogue with all parties involved, Victoria Azarenka will not be participating in our ‘Tennis Plays for Peace Exhibition’ this evening,” the USTA said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Vika is a strong player leader and we appreciate her willingness to participate,” it said.
“Given the sensitivities to Ukrainian players, and the on-going conflict, we believe this is the right course of action for us.”
Tennis Plays for Peace, comprised of all seven of the sport’s governing bodies including the four grand slam events, has raised more than $US1 million ($A1.4 million) in humanitarian aid and expects to raise at least $US2 million ($A2.9 million) more over the course of the US Open.
Russian and Belarusian players were banned from playing at Wimbledon but will be allowed to compete at Flushing Meadows in the season’s final grand slam, which runs from August 29 to September 11.
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