Aryna Sabalenka courts controversy over US President Donald Trump’s special mention; here’s why

Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka found herself in a somewhat awkward position after receiving a special mention from United States President Donald Trump a few days after successfully defending her US Open title in New York. In his letter to Belarusian president Aleksandar Lukashenko, Trump hailed Sabalenka’s straight sets victory over home favourite Amanda Anisimova in the women’s singles final that helped her win her fourth Grand Slam title, having won the Australian Open twice previously.

“We are equally pleased to acknowledge Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka’s tremendous win at the US Open in New York,” read Trump’s letter to Lukashenko that American presidential envoy John Coale had handed over in Minsk, according to The Daily Express.

“She represents the very best of your country and we know you must be proud of her accomplishments.

“As you look forward to the coming year, we pray for your health and well-being as well as continued progress towards shared goals on behalf of the United States and Belarusian people,” the letter further read.

Why Sabalenka’s mention is controversial

The 27-year-old tennis star, who currently sits on top of the WTA rankings, had gone on record to distance herself from Lukashenko after the Belarusian president offered his support to Russian president Vladimir Putin during Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

“We played a lot of Fed Cups in Belarus and (Lukashenko) was in our matches taking pictures with us after the match,” Sabalenka had said during the French Open in 2023, more than a year into the Russo-Ukrainian War.

“Nothing bad was happening that time in Belarus or in Ukraine or in Russia. I said it many times already, I’m not supporting war. I don’t want my country to be involved in any conflict,” she had added.

Belarus’ support for Russia in the conflict, which has raged on for more than three years now, had resulted in both nations getting banned across a wide variety of sporting events – including last year’s Olympic Games in Paris. Tennis players from these two countries cannot play under their national flag either, and have to compete as neutral athletes.

Trump had recently attended the US Open men’s singles final, which took place a day after Sabalenka’s victory over Anisimova, where he witnessed Carlos Alcaraz defeat Jannik Sinner to win his sixth Grand Slam.