Russian tennis player Anastasia Potapova (25th WTA) has recently been more active on the court than off it. The 22-year-old has been provoking her behavior and statements since Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Recently, she appeared on the court in a Spartak Moscow football shirt, and last weekend she was a star during the city’s derby with their participation. The tennis player had the ceremonial first kick of the ball.
Iga Świątek strongly condemned her for going out on the court in a Russian leotard. “She shouldn’t show her views like this in times like these.” Even if she’s a fan of this team. I talked to the WTA about it – the best racket in the world admitted at the time.
The WTA admonished Potapova. The tennis player will not continue to provoke with the Spartak Moscow shirt
This, apparently, did not help, but Potapova may be affected by the intervention of the tennis authorities, because, as the 22-year-old herself admitted, she was admonished. I didn’t receive a fine, it was just a warning. I heard not to do it again. If this happens again, I may not receive points for the tournament I played in, or I may be fined several thousand dollars. I don’t like to deliberately break any rules,” the Russian admitted in an interview with the TASS news agency. “I respect the place where I work,” she added, emphasizing that controversial situations involving her will no longer occur.
For the “Championat.com” portal, Anastazja Potapova told for the first time how her relationship with Ukrainian tennis players has changed since the outbreak of the war. – We were quite close friends with Marta Kostiuk, but unfortunately this person decided to change her mind, and not only about me. Without reason, says the Russian woman, shamelessly ignoring the fact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. It’s not for me to judge, it’s her choice. And I respect him. And if it’s easier for her, then I accept it. It doesn’t make me cold or warm,” she added.
“I come to the tournament and my goal is to beat the opponent. No matter where it’s from, what’s going on. Maybe the atmosphere, as you said, or the tension I feel with any of my opponents. But this is not the case with girls from Ukraine. We still greet some of them, talk to them, sit in the cloakroom, watch social networking sites together, show each other something, make jokes – argues Potapova.
The Russian woman will sign a document to play at Wimbledon, but she has not received anything yet
The 22-year-old also referred to the idea that would enable Russian and Belarusian tennis players to play at this year’s Wimbledon. They were banned last year, and that was the only Grand Slam tournament they couldn’t play. This was met with criticism from the tennis authorities, who in retaliation decided not to award points to the event in London.
This year, Russians and Belarusians may be allowed to compete in the competition. However, they must sign a declaration to perform under a neutral flag, accepting the conditions – the players will not express support for Russia’s actions during the war in Ukraine, will not represent Russia and will declare that they do not receive funding from Russia.
“I read about it in the media, but no one from the WTA came to me personally and said, ‘Here, in a month, we’ll mail a paper, you’ll have to sign it.’ I’ll sign, but who’s going to make it easier? It won’t end anything and it won’t change anything. I have repeatedly expressed my opinion on everything that is going on. And like any reasonable person, I am against it – Potapova told “Championat.com”. “But if you have to sign a pledge to go to England, I think all of us will.” Because we are athletes, our careers are not that long, and we want to play as much as possible. Especially when it comes to Grand Slam tournaments.
Wimbledon 2023 will be played from July 3-16. Elena Rybakina will defend the women’s title.
