The political explosiveness behind Yelena Rybakina’s triumph
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, congratulates Yelena Rybakina on her victory at Wimbledon
Quelle: Getty Images/Julian Finney
Professionals from Russia and Belarus were not allowed to compete in Wimbledon because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. With Jelena Rybakina, a native Russian now wins the venerable tennis tournament. The 23-year-old defends himself against allegations.
SBeaming, Yelena Rybakina accepted the silver trophy from Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, wife of Prince William. An image that those responsible for the Grand Slam in Wimbledon actually wanted to avoid. “Wimbledon ended with the very image it was trying so desperately to prevent,” wrote Britain’s Telegraph, outlining the moment Duchess Kate presented the Venus Rosewater Dish to Rybakina as a trophy. “This women’s final produced a photo opportunity that had everyone at the Russian Embassy in London roaring with laughter over their glasses of vodka.”
In response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the venerable All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club suspended all players from Russia and Belarus in the run-up to the tournament. Daniil Medvedev, currently number one in the world, was also not allowed to serve. And yet the lawn classic ended on a political note.
The fact that Russian-born Rybakina was allowed to celebrate on the sacred pitch after her victory in the final against Ons Jabeur was a nuisance to many observers. The fact that the 23-year-old tennis player emphasized her connection to Kazakhstan when asked about Russia did not change that. “From my side I can only say that I represent Kazakhstan. I didn’t choose where I was born,” said Rybakina, who has played for Kazakhstan since 2018.
Victory kiss: Russian Rybakina poses with the Wimbledon trophy
Which: REUTERS
But it is also true that the parents of the native Muscovite still live in the Russian capital and Rybakina is said to still have her center of life there. British sports journalist Sam Street reports that the Wimbledon winner still pays income tax in Russia. For the British government, Rybakina’s victory was a “nightmare that came true”.
Rybakina was also asked on Saturday evening after her three-set win against Tunisia’s Jabeur whether she condemned Russia’s war of aggression and Vladimir Putin’s actions. “People believed in me. Kazakhstan supported me so much. Also today there was so much support, I saw the flags. I don’t know how to answer those questions,” she said. When asked about the war earlier in the tournament, she said she wanted it “to be over as soon as possible”.
Russia uses Rybakina victory for propaganda
“I’ve been playing for Kazakhstan for a very, very long time. I represent it at major tournaments, at the Olympics, when a dream came true,” Rybakina said. When asked if she feared her victory in Russia could be used politically, she replied: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. There will always be some news, but I can’t do anything about it.” Like several other top professionals, Rybakina had changed nations well before the war, partly because of the prospect of increased funding.
“Unsure if Putin is aware of his army’s capabilities and shortcomings”
“So far, the Russian army has significantly improved its capabilities,” says Dr. Christian Hübenthal, editor of “Situational Security”, on Putin’s warning. Although Russia has a huge and highly modern arsenal of weapons, it always fails to implement it.
She hugged the President of the Kazakh Tennis Association, Bulat Utemuratov, in the stands. The head of state of the Central Asian country, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, congratulated from a distance on a “historic victory” and the first Grand Slam singles title for Kazakhstan.
Russia used Rybakina’s victory at Wimbledon for their own propaganda and immediately congratulated. “This is so great! Well done Rybakina! We won Wimbledon,” Shamil Tarpishchev, head of the Russian Tennis Federation, was quoted as saying by a Russian state media outlet.
Tarpishchev had already congratulated Rybakina on reaching the final. “She is our product. Of course we care about her,” the Russian official told the Russian news agency Ria, and told the Russian newspaper Sport-Express: “We have contributed a lot to her development. Is there grudge against them? no This is sports. Everyone chooses their own path. That is their right.”
