Princess Kate is saved from the awkward moment of having to present a Wimbledon trophy to a Belarusian player after Aryna Sabalenka was knocked out of the tournament as Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina’s fairy tale streak comes to an end.
The Princess of Wales has been spared from having to hand over a Wimbledon trophy to a Belarusian player linked to a key supporter of the war in Ukraine.
Aryna Sabalenka, 25, who was photographed hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally Alexander Lukashenko, was eliminated from the tournament yesterday.
But there was also heartbreak for 28-year-old Ukrainian wildcard Elina Svitolina as her fairytale run ended in a straight-set loss.
Their losses ended the possibility that tomorrow’s women’s final would see a Ukrainian take on a Belarusian in what would have been a highly charged match.
All eyes are now on Spanish hunk Carlos Alcaraz today as he takes on Daniil Medvedev, the last Russian standing at Wimbledon, for a place in the men’s final.
Aryna Sabalenka, 25, who was photographed hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally Alexander Lukashenko, has been knocked out of Wimbledon.
Alcaraz, a 20-year-old prodigy, is the favorite to defeat the 6-foot-6 world number three and save Kate from having to be photographed with an athlete from an aggressor nation.
The princess presents the winners’ trophies, and having to hand one over to a Belarusian or Russian would be a diplomatic embarrassment for Britain.
Svitolina became a favorite with the home crowd after knocking out Grand Slam champions Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka and Iga Swiatek.
She also received overwhelming support on home soil, with a big screen set up in Kiev to watch the match, but yesterday’s semifinal proved to be a step too far and she was defeated by the Czech Marketa Vondrousova.
The Princess of Wales presents the winners’ trophies, and having to hand one over to a Belarusian or Russian would be a diplomatic embarrassment for Britain.
Losses to Elina Svitlona (left) and Anya Sabalenka (right) ruined any chance of a Ukrainian taking on a Belarusian at the tournament.
Svitolina broke down in tears after her loss as she described the incredible support she has received from the people in Ukraine.
“It’s amazing that they’ve been there with me the whole way,” he said. “Let’s hope they continue.”
Although it crashed, history will be made whatever the outcome in the ladies’ final on Center Court tomorrow. World No.42 Vondrousova, 24, would be the first unseeded woman to win the title.
Meanwhile, Tunisian Ons Jabeur, 28, who lost in the final last year, would be the first Arab, African and Muslim Grand Slam winner. Jabeur came from a set down to defeat Sabalenka.
Alongside Alcaraz’s decisive match with Medvedev, eight-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic faces Italian Jannick Sinner in their semifinal today.
