MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) - The Belarusian tennis will soon make itself known, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) David Haggerty and heads of several national tennis federations and international sports associations on 12 November, BelTA has learned.
The head of state held the meeting during the Fed Cup final in Minsk. The president emphasized the teams' truly fighting spirit. “I promise you that the Belarusian tennis will soon make itself known. I hope Victoria Azarenka will have her say, too,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
“As for the current game, I would like to say that it is great that the best tennis players of the United States are visiting Belarus today. I have told our girls that they have made great progress by bringing the best players to our country,” the president said.
He emphasized that this event would give an impetus to tennis development in Belarus and provide a strong incentive to a young generation of tennis players.
Alexander Lukashenko cited Arina Sobolenko's performance against Coco Vandeweghe as an example. According to the president, the lack of experience restrained the Belarusian from winning the match, although she had all the chances. “She has a great future ahead if she works hard,” the president is confident.
Attending the meeting, apart from David Haggerty, was Chairman of the Belarusian Tennis Federation Sergei Teterin, President of the United States Tennis Association Katrina Adams, President of the French Tennis Federation Bernard Giudicelli, President of the Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpishchev, President of the European Tennis Federation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Tennis Federation Vladimir Dmitriev, and President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations Francesco Ricci Bitti.
Alexander Lukashenko thanked the sports officials for their visit to Belarus during the Fed Cup final, adding that it was a good opportunity to discuss the most important sports issues.
The head of state was given a replica of the Fed Cup trophy as a gift.
