Belarusian tennis player skips French Open presser citing 'mental health' concerns: 'I did not feel safe'

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Aryna Sabalenka, who is from Belarus, skipped her post-match press conference after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round of the French Open on Friday, citing her "mental health and well-being." 

Sabalenka, the world’s No. 2 player, faced questions on Wednesday on whether she would denounce the war in Ukraine, as well as her relationship with Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus pauses during her match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia at the 2023 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros in Paris on Friday. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Sabalenka responded with "I've got no comments to you," to both questions, according to ESPN.  

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On Friday, Sabalenka spoke with a small pool of reporters instead of the usual post-match presser. 

"After my match, I spoke with the media like I normally do," Sabalenka said in a transcript provided to the media. "I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis. For many months now I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches.

"I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday I did not feel safe in (the) press conference. I should be able to feel safe when I do interviews with the journalists after my matches. For my own mental health and well-being, I have decided to take myself out of this situation today, and