Ukrainian tennis player Tsurenko spoke about a panic attack after talking with the head of the WTA about the Russians at the competition

During the tennis tournament of the WTA 1000 category in Indian Wells, the Ukrainian tennis player Lesya Tsurenko refused to play in the third round match with the Belarusian Arina Sobolenko, who was credited with a technical victory. Ms. Tsurenko later said that she was unable to attend the match due to a panic attack. She cited a recent conversation with WTA CEO Steve Simon as the reason.

“The reason for the refusal was a panic attack. Officially, “personal reasons” will be written, but in fact these are breathing problems and, one might say, hysteria, ”she told the Great Tennis of Ukraine publication. Lesya Tsurenko explained that in the course of the conversation, the discussion turned to the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions. Steve Simon, says the tennis player, said that he himself does not support the conduct of hostilities, but if players from Russia and Belarus have a different position, then this is “only their own opinion”, which should not upset her.

The WTA CEO allegedly said that athletes from these countries, in his opinion, will be admitted to the Olympics, similar to how it happens in tennis. “He also said that fair play and Olympic principles are not violated, but quite the opposite. It is the fact that they will perform at the Olympics that will show that these principles work, that everyone is equal and everyone has the opportunity to compete there. When asked if he understands that he is telling me this during the active phase of Russia’s military aggression in my country, he said yes, and this is his opinion, ”said the Ukrainian tennis player.

During the conversation, Lesya Tsurenko also asked Steve Simon whether they would provide assistance to the Ukrainians at the competition, similar to that provided at the Australian Open. Then the organizers provided Ukrainian athletes with additional meals. “I heard the answer to this question:“ I will continue to monitor the situation, ”that is, in fact, he made it clear that there would be no help, as there was no help all year,” she concluded.

With athletes from her group, Lesya Tsurenko asked to “organize a conference call with the WTA Board of Directors” to raise the issue of Steve Simon’s competence as WTA CEO.

After the start of a special military operation, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete. However, the WTA and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) allowed the participation of athletes from Belarus and Russia in competitions in a neutral status. A similar decision was made by the organizers of the Australia Open.

The discussion on the admission of Belarusian and Russian athletes also passes on the eve of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Many Western countries are opposed, but the IOC is considering the participation of athletes in a neutral status.

Read more about the disputes over the admission of Russian athletes to the Olympics – in the material “Kommersant” “The IOC presented human rights”.

Lusine Balasyan