Sports
Sabalenka wants shield from 'hate' after Azarenka booing

LONDON: Women's tennis chiefs on Monday pleaded with spectators to show 'understanding and respect' when Ukraine players refuse to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents in protest at the ongoing war in their country.

The WTA, which runs the women's game, became the first governing body to acknowledge demands that they publicly explain the reasons for the stance.