Belarusian tennis players hold first practice sessions on Tokyo 2020 courts

The Belarusian tennis players held their first practice sessions on the Olympic courts at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo, BelTA learned from the press service of the National Olympic Committee (NOC).

Despite the sweltering heat, Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka (world No. 3) had an intensive practice with her coach Anton Dubrov focusing on the return of serve. At the end of the practice session Olympic champion Max Mirny came out to the court to talk with Aryna Sabalenka and her coach. After the practice, Aryna Sabalenka said that she had a very good practice. “I am on this court in Tokyo for the first time. This is a nice arena. I have already adapted to the capital of Japan. We, tennis players, quickly adapt to different conditions, including the heat. Good luck to everybody, and root for us,” said Aryna Sabalenka.

Ilya Ivashka also tested the courts of the local Olympic complex. He  practiced together with Gael Monfils from France, who he will face in the first round of the Olympic tournament. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who has recently married the French player, also watched the practice session. Ilya spent more than an hour on the court and showed he was in good shape.

In the Olympic opener Belarus’ Ilya Ivashka (No. 66) will face France’s Gael Monfils (No.18), Belarus’ No.79 Egor Gerasimov will take on France’s Gilles Simon (No. 102) and Aryna Sabalenka - Magda Linette from Poland.

In the men’s doubles Ilya Ivashka and Egor Gerasimov have drawn Marcus Daniell and Michael Venus from New Zealand for the opener.

The Olympic Games Tennis Event will take place from 24 July to 1 August.