Aryna Sabalenka says she has faced ‘really tough’ locker room ‘hate’ following Russian invasion of Ukraine

Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has said that she has suffered “hate” since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Belarusian and Russian athletes have competed under neutral flags following the invasion.

Sabalenka, 24, said in an interview before the Miami Open that she has suffered hate since the invasion a year ago.

“I did nothing.”

“It was really tough for me because I’ve never faced that much hate in the locker room,” she added.

“There are a lot of haters on Instagram when you’re losing matches, but in the locker room I’ve never faced that.

“I had some – not like fights – but I had some weird conversations with – not the girls – but with members of their team. It was tough. It was [a] tough period.

“But now it’s getting better.”

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