Aryna Sabalenka says she “really wants” to make history by hosting an all-Belarusian contest against Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open final.
Two-time winner Azarenka will face Kazakh Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the first semifinal on Thursday.
Fifth-seeded Sabalenka will next face Poland’s Magda Linette in second.
However, two Belarusians competing for a Grand Slam title would likely lead to more talk of a political issue that divides the sport.
Belarusian athletes are banned by a number of sports governing bodies due to the country’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka has already said “no one supports the war”adding that she was “really disappointed” that politics interfered with the sport after Russian and Belarusian players were banned from Wimbledon last year.
Speaking about the prospect of facing Azarenka in the final in Melbourne, Sabalenka said: “It would be history and it would be amazing.
“I really want this to happen. I know Vika will do everything she can to make this happen. I will do everything I can to make this happen.”
Former world number one Azarenka, who is aiming for a third title in Melbourne 10 years after her last win, meets 22nd seed Rybakina at 08.30 GMT.
Sabalenka – who has lost all three of her previous Grand Slam semi-finals – is the favorite to beat Linette, a 30-year-old unranked player who had never made it past the third round of a major tournament.
The political issue that will not move away from sport
In tennis, players from Belarus and Russia are allowed to compete but not under their national flags.
Russian player Karen Khachanov has also qualified for the men’s singles semi-finals in Melbourne.
The All England Club, which organizes Wimbledon, has not yet said whether it intends to uphold its ban on Russian and Belarusian players at this year’s tournament.
The AELTC and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) were fined for banning players last year and the tournament had its ranking points stripped.
American great Billie Jean King, who has won 12 major singles titles and is a key advocate for equality in sport, has called for players from Russia and Belarus to be allowed to play.
“Keep it the same as the others,” King said. “Life is too short.”
Sabalenka, who reached the last four at Wimbledon in 2021, said the impact of political decisions had affected her “a lot” and was “still difficult” to deal with.
“I understand it’s not my fault. I have no control. If I could do something, of course I would, but I can’t do anything,” said Sabalenka, who also reached the last four at the US Open 2021 and 2022. .
“Having that understanding really helps me stay strong.”
Meanwhile, at the Australian Open, security personnel were ordered to confiscate Russian and Belarusian flags from fans.
On Wednesday, police had to intervene when tournament security guards were threatened after spectators waved Russian flags, including one with Vladimir Putin’s face on it.
Like Sabalenka and Azarenka, Rybakina also faced questions about decisions made by tennis’ governing bodies due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Rybakina was born in Moscow but changed allegiance in 2018 after receiving more financial support from Kazakhstan.
His Wimbledon victory came after the Russians were banned from playing, but said earlier this week there was “nothing more to say” on the matter.
