«In half an hour — 350 autographs». How Aryna Sabalenka opened tennis courts in Minsk
The unexpected arrival in Minsk of world number one Aryna Sabalenka caused a real stir among Belarusians. On Tuesday, Aryna opened tennis courts and held a master class at her home school «Zmena», and hundreds of residents of the capital came to see the famous athlete, writes Onliner.by.
«Aryna, come out! Let's call her like Snegurochka!»
Getting to meet the star was not easy: fans had to go through preliminary registration organized by Aryna's partner — the First&Red project. The remaining spots were raffled off.
And even despite it being a weekday, hundreds of people came to school No. 86 in Kozlova Lane. It's hard to imagine how many spectators would have gathered here on a weekend.
Due to the large number of people, a slight confusion arose even on the approach to the school stadium: people were directed from one entrance to another, and from there — back again. Some eventually decided not to waste time and simply stepped over the red tape that served as a makeshift barrier.
There were also those who unhappily grumbled that due to the athlete's arrival, they couldn't park their car properly. But, of course, most of those present were happy to see the famous Belarusian tennis player.
— Aryna, come out! Let's call her like Snegurochka! — suggested one of the devoted fans of the Belarusian tennis player long before the gates of the SDYUSSHOR (Children and Youth Sports School of the Olympic Reserve) were to be opened. However, the people standing nearby did not share his enthusiasm. Soon a guard approached and asked him not to do that: everything in its own time.
An hour before Aryna's arrival, fans began to take the best spots. However, not everyone immediately guessed which way she would be led, so some had to move at the last minute and look for a more advantageous spot.
«It's very nice to see so many children who support me and give me so much strength!»
The tennis player appeared accompanied by security, her fiancé Georgios Frangulis, coaches, and the chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Vladimir Kukharev.
— A big thank you to everyone who came. It's very nice to see so many children who support me and give me strength. Thanks to everyone around me, including the mayor, for supporting this idea. I started at «Zmena», came out from here, reached the very top of the sport, and I hope that such beautiful courts will help new stars be born who will conquer the peaks of tennis with me and after me. I hope this event will help children become better and conquer this world, — Sabalenka shared her impressions before the opening of the courts.
Immediately after that, the tennis player and other high-ranking guests cut the red ribbon — and all the action moved to the court.
Soon, fans surrounded the court, standing in several rows, while some watched the events through the fence.
Someone even came out to watch the tennis from the balcony of a neighboring house.
— Well, Aryna, why are you nervous! You're only playing against the world number one, — the event host supported Sabalenka's namesake — a girl who had to play for a few minutes with the world's best tennis player.
And it must be said, the girl performed very well.
Soon after, the tennis player moved to the edge of the court and transformed into a coach.
— I don't envy you at all that the microphone is now mine. Now the strictest coach Aryna will begin, — Sabalenka said with a smile and started teaching the young tennis players:
— Girl, why are you twisting your shoulders? Stand straight. There, well done…
The tennis player even personally singled out someone.
— You spun the ball so well! This is our future Nadal. No, rather Alcaraz, — Aryna praised the young boy.
And when a few seconds later the ball flew out of the court, several children almost fought over it. The winner of the «battle» was eventually allowed to keep the ball.
Meanwhile, off the court, fans desperately tried every way to attract Sabalenka's attention.
— Maybe she'll see me here, standing like this! — a young fan in the first row with a poster said almost tearfully.
— Oh, she's sexy in person, — a voice suddenly rang out from somewhere in the crowd.
At the end of the open training session, Sabalenka expressed her respect for the young tennis players. Among those who played with her, by the way, was not-so-young Dmitry Baga — a former BATE and Belarus national team footballer.
— In my time, I didn't know what ball spin was. But here, everyone knows how to do it. In the near future, we might have more than one star born. One is the basic minimum, but we need a luxurious maximum! — said Sabalenka.
«No Exclusives»
It turned out to be impossible for journalists to get close to the tennis player. The day before, we had received specific rules outlining important nuances. Journalists were forbidden from approaching Sabalenka with personal questions, interview requests, or even asking questions to her team representatives, outside of the event's scenario. Furthermore, we were made to understand: there would be no exclusive materials.
At the end of the master class, reporters were promised a press approach, but in the end, it was forgone. Communication was limited to spectators, whose questions had to be sent in advance. Additionally, children who came to the event were given a chance to speak.
According to Aryna herself, her ideal day is to wake up at 11 AM, have a delicious meal, and spend time with friends and family.
Her most difficult tournament was the victorious Australian Open 2023, and this year it was the «Roland Garros», where she was eliminated in the 1/8 final.
There were many questions about the tennis player's emotionality. Aryna said that she shouts louder than her entire team but also hears them. She also advised young people not to break rackets in a fit of anger, as they are expensive now.
After the open training, the organizers held two challenges. The first was to hit the correct square, named by Sabalenka, while wearing a sleep mask. As a result, only half of the participants managed to hit the ball. Aryna herself also missed on the first attempt but then corrected herself.
Later, the tennis player played tennis tic-tac-toe with the youth: wherever the ball landed, a cross or a naught was placed. After this, there was a short break before the autograph session, before which a large queue formed.
However, Sabalenka could not please everyone. In half an hour, she gave out 350 autographs — and that was it. Some fans who came with posters were disappointed: the tennis player only signed on sheets of paper to save time.
— The star is tired — one of the guards loudly said, trying to prevent anyone from getting to the tennis player. In some cases, it even sounded a bit rude. Fans were also given pre-signed cards, but even that was not enough for everyone.
Finally, Aryna herself spoke.
— I hope that in the near future we will organize more such events, and I will be able to share a part of myself with each of you. I tried my best, signed as much as I could. I think I'll need a separate massage for my hand because it's all numb. But thank you for your support! — Aryna concluded, after which she took a selfie and, surrounded by seven people in suits, headed off the courts.
In American Tennessee, a woman was to be executed for the first time in 200 years. But the execution was suspended an hour before the appointed time 11
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