One of tennis' most emotionally-expressive players, Aryna Sabalenka knows how to read the mood of a room.
The Wimbledon semifinalist says Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created both anxiety and unity among players in Indian Wells.
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Belarus is backing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but that hasn't created ill will with Ukrainian players, the Belarusian No. 1 said. Sabalenka said players understand government leaders are calling the shots in the war.
"I don’t feel anything from the Ukrainian players, I think they understand that it’s nothing we can do about it," Sabalenka told the media in Indian Wells. "And I’m still respectful with all girls and we still kind of friends.
"Right now, everyone is just worried and it’s not like everyone is really happy inside our players area. Nobody’s really happy like it used to be—everyone is just really worried but we still talk to each other. It’s not conflicted with us."
To show support for peace in Ukraine and Ukrainian relief efforts, Sabalenka said she will wear the blue and yellow ribbons distributed to players at the BNP Paribas Open as part of the Tennis Plays for Pace campaign.
"I will wear it; I don’t feel bad wearing it," Sabalenka said. "I feel people need our support.
"I just hope people understand we are all really worried. I think the word 'sad' is not the right word. We all care about them and and we all hope for the best for the peace and wearing this ribbon it’s nothing bad about it. I will be comfortable wearing it."
How comfortable will the second-seeded Sabalenka be as the highest-seeded woman in the draw since top-seeded Barbora Krejcikova pulled out with an elbow injury? Sabalenka insists her status is "not changing anything...I still have t show up and do my best."
Sabalenka will open against either British qualifier Katie Boulter or Italian Jasmine Paolini. If seeds hold true to form an enticing all-Belarusian battle in the round of 16 looms between Sabalenka and two-time Indian Wells champion Victoria Azarenka, who was runner-up to Paula Badosa in Palm Springs last October.
The 23-year-old Belarusian, who suffered a tough 7-6 in the third set Australian Open fourth-round loss to Kaia Kanepi, arrives in Indian Wells after reaching the Doha quarterfinals.
The big-hitting Sabalenka has cut down on the double faults that plagued her earlier in the season, but knows she'll need to serve with command to go deep in the desert.
"I felt much better with the serve and I felt like I finally found my rhythm in Doha," Sabalenka said. "I felt much better with the serve and hopefully I can improve with every match I play.
"It wasn’t a perfect serve, but it was much better than it was before and I was really happy with that and hopefully here I can serve better."
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook