The Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko had withdrawn from the duel against Aryna Sabalenka in the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells. Reason: a panic attack as a result of a conversation with WTA boss Steve Simon.
by Florian Goosman
last edited: 03/14/2023, 09:21 am
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Tsurenko explained this to the Ukrainian Tennis Association. Her mental breakdown happened a few days after the conversation with Simon – Tsurenko had denied her match against Donna Vekic, and everything had gotten worse against Sabalenka.
Simon explained that he assumes that Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to take part in the Olympic Games again, a sign of the equality of all – that everyone can also take part in the Olympics. He also supports it, Tsurenko reported, despite her suggestion that he is well aware that a country is waging an aggressive war against their homeland. He himself does not support the war, Simon assured, but if players from Russia or Belarus did so, it was their opinion and they should not upset them (Tsurenko).
Simon didn’t really respond to the request for support for Ukrainian players either. At the Australian Open, additional accommodation and food was requested for those who could not have flown back (to Ukraine) directly – with success. There was never this kind of help from the WTA. Simon said he would continue to monitor the situation, so it was clear to her (Tsurenko) that nothing would happen, like last year.
“This conversation left me shocked,” said Tsurenko, “I tried to process everything, but I collapsed mentally.” Her colleagues were just as shocked.
WTA refers to fundamental principles
A reaction from the WTA followed opposite The Tennis Podcast. “The WTA has consistently shown full support for Ukraine and we strongly condemn the actions of the Russian government,” it said.
However, one of the most fundamental principles of the WTA is to ensure that each individual athlete can participate in professional tennis tournaments on the basis of merit, without any form of discrimination and unencumbered by the decisions emanating from the leadership of her country.
