<p>Victoria Azarenka criticized Wimbledon fans as “unfair” and “drunk” after they booed her off Centre Court after she lost to Elina Svitolina in a match that was rife with politics on Sunday.</p>
<p>After two hours and 46 minutes of exhilarating shotmaking on Court One, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina prevailed 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (11/9) to set up a quarterfinal matchup with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-66796″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/www.theindiaprint.com-after-receiving-boos-victoria-azarenka-criticizes-the-unfair-and-drunk-wimbledon-crowd-images-2023-07-10t162944.821.jpg” alt=”” width=”1417″ height=”745″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/www.theindiaprint.com-after-receiving-boos-victoria-azarenka-criticizes-the-unfair-and-drunk-wimbledon-crowd-images-2023-07-10t162944.821.jpg 310w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/www.theindiaprint.com-after-receiving-boos-victoria-azarenka-criticizes-the-unfair-and-drunk-wimbledon-crowd-images-2023-07-10t162944.821-150×79.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1417px) 100vw, 1417px” /></p>
<p>Svitolina did not shake hands with Belarusian Azarenka, as has been customary, in opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.</p>
<p>Moscow counts Belarus as a crucial military ally.</p>
<p>With her hand up in what seemed to be a sign of respect for Svitolina, Azarenka departed the court to boos.</p>
<p>It was unjust. What is, is what is. How can I help? Azarenka stated.</p>
<p>“I’ve done nothing wrong, yet I’m powerless over the throng. I doubt that many people were aware of what was going on.</p>
<p>But it’s unfortunate if attention will ultimately be drawn to handshakes or a rowdy audience that is booing.</p>
<p>At the most recent French Open, Svitolina and the other Ukrainian athletes unanimously declined to shake hands with their competitors from Russia and Belarus.</p>
<p>during their position during their defeat to Belarusian world number two Aryna Sabalenka, Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk received jeers from the Paris audience.</p>
<p>Kostyuk only gave a racquet touch after losing to Azarenka at the US Open the previous year.</p>
<p>Svitolina thinks that if tennis officials released a statement outlining the players from Ukraine’s perspective, the jeers may cease.</p>
<p>“UKRAINE WINNING”</p>
<p>“I experienced something similar in Paris. Additionally, it was unjust, Svitolina stated.</p>
<p>“I’ve previously made it clear several times that we won’t shake hands until Russian forces have left Ukraine and we have reclaimed our lands. So I can say this clearly.</p>
<p>The “second happiest moment” of Svitolina’s life, after the birth of her baby, she said, was winning the match despite the controversy.</p>
<p>Svitolina, who is married to French tennis player Gael Monfils, said, “I think this is the second-happiest moment in my life after giving birth to our daughter.”</p>
<p>“When I was down, I heard you guys cheering for me, and I almost wanted to cry.”</p>
<p>Svitolina, a semi-finalist in 2019, was barely three points away from losing when she fell down 4/7 in the final set tiebreak.</p>
<p>She fought back, let one match point go away at 9/8, and then used an ace to secure the win.</p>
<p>“I am aware that many people at home are following and cheering for me. I also feel accountable,” she said.</p>
<p>“When I play against Russians or Belarusians, I have more pressure to succeed. Gaining these sorts of victories is significant because of this. To convey this modest success to Ukraine in my own manner.</p>
<p>28-year-old Svitolina didn’t rejoin the circuit until April after taking maternity leave.</p>
<p>After also reaching the French Open quarterfinals, she has now advanced to the last eight of two straight majors.</p>
<p>“When I began playing again, I never imagined I’d be at this place. I didn’t believe I would play so well on the grass,” she said.</p>
<p>“I’m simply really loving the environment and this opportunity. I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to perform here.</p>
<p>The match began on the court on Sunday with a service from 76th-ranked Svitolina, but Azarenka broke in the third and fifth games to take the first set.</p>
<p>In the first game of the second set, the two-time Australian Open winner and former world number one broke once again.</p>
<p>Svitolina tied the score at 2-2, but she was unable to capitalize on four break opportunities in the next eighth game.</p>
<p>Azarenka saved a set point in a nail-biting, hard-hitting finish, but Svitolina pounced on the second to even the match.</p>
<p>Due to Azarenka’s double fault in the second game of the final, Svitolina quickly built a 3-0 advantage.</p>
<p>As the match moved into a thrilling tiebreak and post-match finish, the Belarusian rallied back to break back in the fifth game.</p>
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