Australian Open final highlights Wimbledon dilemma over ban of Russia and Belarus stars

Tennis could be anointing its first ‘neutral’ champion in Saturday if Aryna Sabalenka imposes her power game to win the Australian Open.

She is of a nationality whose name must not be spoken in the forum of international sport, Belarus being barred alongside its ally Russia, however token that is when it comes to individual pursuit. 

Even as Sabalenka prepared for her first championship match at a Grand Slam, against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, it was difficult for the tournament to escape the issue of whether players from aggressor nations should be banned. 

Sabalenka is at the centre of the debate but Rybakina was born and bred in Moscow before qualifying to play for Kazakhstan.

Marta Kostyuk became the last representative of Ukraine to bow out of the event, beaten in the semi-final of the women’s doubles. She was asked whether Wimbledon should continue to bar a segment of players. SW19 is likely to drop the policy, but on balance Kostyuk believes it should stay. 

‘It is going to be difficult for Wimbledon,’ she said. ‘But imagine if someone Russian or Belarusian wins the tournament and then the royal family has to hold the trophies with them.’

It is depressing that Kostyuk feels intimidated by the torrent of online abuse when expressing her views. On the subject of the pro-Russian demonstrations of support at Melbourne Park she spoke of the hurt it had caused her, but added that her opinion did not seem to mean much.

She said: ‘No matter what I say, I’m going to be hated the rest of my life. Especially by aggressive Novak fans. Not all of them, but I got so much hate in the past, especially from Serbian fans.’

Women’s final 8.30am Saturday LIVE on Eurosport 1.