Tsikhanouskaya ally condemns Belarusian athlete for insulting Ukrainian opponent, complacency in Russia’s war

Pavel Latushka, an ally of exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, criticised tennis player Aryna Sabalenka after reports that she insulted Ukrainian opponent Elina Svitolina. The dispute has renewed scrutiny of Belarusian athletes’ response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and Minsk’s support for Moscow.

Svitolina beat Sabalenka at the WTA Finals in California on 13 November; footage shared on social media was said to capture Sabalenka making insulting remarks. Latushka called for her to be barred from all WTA-sanctioned tournaments, citing her failure to condemn the war and repression in Belarus or support political prisoners. Belarusian athletes have faced restrictions because Belarus allowed Russian forces to use its territory during the 2022 invasion.