Tennis
There’s a big scandal in tennis over cake. The organizers had to make excuses to Arina
Many well-known colleagues have already stood up for Sobolenko.
The day before, two tennis stars celebrated their birthdays at once. Belarusian athlete Arina Sobolenko turned 25, and young Spanish talent Carlos Alcaras celebrated her 20th birthday.
These days, athletes are performing at a major tournament in Madrid. The organizers of the competition decided to congratulate Arina and Carlos with culinary gifts.
But a great idea turned into a scandal due to a terrible implementation.
Champions are congratulated in different ways
Belarusian athlete Arina Sobolenko is now in second place in the ranking of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Alcaraz also comes second among men. At the tournament in Madrid, athletes participate in the status of favorites and have already reached the finals.
On May 5, when tennis players celebrated their birthdays, the tournament management congratulated the players. Arina was presented with a cute cake in a relaxed atmosphere. On a white single-tiered culinary product, it was written in gold letters in English: “Happy birthday, Arina.” Surrounded by all this fresh raspberries.
However, Alcaraz was congratulated with much more fanfare. It happened right on the center court after the Spaniard’s brilliant victory over Borna Coric, in the presence of fans. Carlos was also given a cake, but it was just huge. Perhaps it would be enough to feed all the tennis players in the tournament. And on the top tier of this masterpiece, there is also an edible tennis ball, to which the organizers attached the number “20”.
“It doesn’t look good”
Such a difference in congratulations immediately led to a big scandal. Canadian Bianca Andreescu shared photos of both cakes with the audience and hinted at the different treatment of women and men in tennis.
“It doesn’t look very good,” the athlete wrote on social networks.
Supported by a colleague and Victoria Azarenka – Sobolenko’s compatriot. The well-known athletes were joined by numerous fans who flooded the tournament accounts with negative comments.
Madrid competition director Feliciano Lopez tried to salvage the situation. The former tennis player posted several points on social networks that, in his opinion, should have calmed angry critics.
— 1. Carlos has just won the match and reached the final. 2. He played center court. 3. The tournament is held in Spain, despite the fact that this is an international event, the functionary wrote.
He also posted a photo where Danish tennis player Holger Rune receives a modest birthday cake from the organizers. But it irritated the audience even more. Some reminded Lopez that Sobolenko is no less a star tennis player than Alcaraz. She won the Madrid tournament in 2021 and does not deserve such treatment.
Source: Sportbox
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
They will face each other in the 3rd round of the Australian Open on January 23 Elina Svitolina (WTA 12) and Diana Schneider (WTA 22).
The meeting is planned to start at 10:00 Kyiv time.
Sport.ua together with a betting partner bet announcing the upcoming fight!
Elina Svitolina
Ukraine’s first racquet is having an excellent season; He confirmed his top seed status by winning the tournament in Auckland. Svitolina started her journey in this tournament by defeating Spanish athlete Cristina Buxa with scores of 6:4, 6:1. In the second round, she managed to defeat Polish Linda Klimovichova with sets of 7:5 and 6:1.
The Ukrainian player increased his first serve percentage in the second match compared to the first match: 64% versus 49%. The upcoming opponent for Elina is the toughest opponent of the season, this applies both in terms of ratings and class. Potentially, Svitolina could play the winner of Mirra Andreeva – Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the next round.
Diana Schneider
“Nötrka” has already managed to play in two tournaments this season, looked good and was ahead of its rivals in the top 10. In Brisbane, Schneider defeated another former “neutral” Anastasia Potapova, representing Austria, 6:1, 6:3. And then, in the tough fight, Madison Keys was defeated with scores of 7:6, 6:7, 6:7.
In Adelaide, the athlete defeated the following rivals: Leila Fernandez – 7:5, 6:3, Katerina Sinyakova – 6:1, 2:6, 7:5, followed by a victory over American Emma Navarro – 6:3, 6:3. Only in the semifinals did Mirra Andreeva lose with sets of 3:6, 2:6. At the Australian Open, the tennis player started with victories of 2:6, 6:3, 6:3 against the experienced Czech Barbora Krejcikova. The match against Australian Tallia Gibson was incredibly difficult – 3:6, 7:5, 6:3 and she managed to win three match points in the second set.
Match prediction
As statistics show, the rivals never played each other. The Ukrainian athlete is seen as the slight favorite of this pair. Svitolina is ten years older than him and has more experience.
In such a confrontation, a stubborn struggle that can lead to any outcome should be expected. There is no need to remind how important the match against the “neutral” will be for the Ukrainians. Here I would risk betting more than 20.5 total games for 1.64.
Elina Svitolina01/23/2026 –
10:00
Diana Schneider 1.64 place a bet KRAIL License No. 559 dated 12/05/2024 Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev He reacted to the interview with a Ukrainian woman at the press conference Alexandra Oleynikova For the L’Équipe publication in which he accused the Russians of supporting Putin:
– The Ukrainian tennis player said that, in his opinion, Russians should not be allowed to participate in international tennis tournaments. He also condemned players, including you, for participating in an exhibition match sponsored by a major Russian oil company with ties to the war in Ukraine. How will you react to this?
– In general, I respect everyone’s every opinion. I’m trying… It’s a little different on the field, isn’t it? However, I respect all opinions off the field. “This is his opinion and frankly I have nothing to say about it,” Medvedev said.
Oleinikova’s words were also commented on by Arina Sabalenko and Diana Schneider, whom Oleinikova also mentioned in her interview.
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
18 years old “neutral” Mirra Andreeva He sent fans away after the match at the Australian Open 2026.
On January 21, Andreeva defeated Maria Sakkari in the 1/32 final with scores of 6:0 and 6:4. After the end of the fight, Mirra said “Fuck you all” to applauding fans. Naturally, this was inaudible, but you can literally read this sentence on your lips.
On the 23rd, Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse will play against Andreeva. The meeting will start around 12:00 Kyiv time.
VIDEO. “To hell with you all” Andreeva told fans after her match at the Australian Open
Did he say what I thought he said???? 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/qH9hxmE0VX
— Lorena Popa 🕵️♀️🎾 (@popalorena) January 21, 2026
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
WBC named the boxer who is better than Usik. Alexander received an award
Anthony Joshua’s family has asked Nigerian prosecutors to release the boxer’s driver accused of a serious road accident.
The Formula 1 team is at risk of missing the first tests of the season. known cause
-
Ligue 13 years agoRenato Sanchez signed in Paris for five years
-
Europa League4 years agoIn transfer alert at Olympiakos for additions and concessions
-
Europa League4 years agoFenerbahce – Eintracht 1: 1: The Germans took 1st place in the Olympiacos group
-
Europa League4 years agoWithout Nainggolan and Samata, the 11th team from Antwerp
-
Europa League4 years agoEuropa League
-
Europa League4 years agoAtalanta announced the acquisition of Boga
-
Europa League4 years agoFears that Zapata will be out for 4 months
-
Premier League4 years agoExcept for the rest of January, Sean was injured