Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko had a panic attack prior to the Aryna Sabalenka suit and also she states it was triggered by the comments madeby WTA CEO Steve Simon On Sunday, Tsurenko was arranged to play Belarusian tennis celebrity Sabalenka in the Indian Wells 3rd round.
But Tsurenko took out of the suit and also the factor for her withdrawal was noted as individual. In a meeting with Ukrainian media BTU, Tsurenko insurance claims WTA CEO Simon informed her that he protests the Russian intrusion of Ukraine however likewise informed her she must not be distressed if Russian or Belarusian gamers sustain their federal government.
“A few days ago I had a conversation with our WTA CEO Steve Simon and I was absolutely shocked by what I heard. He told me that he himself does not support the war, but if the players from Russia and Belarus support it, then this is only their own opinion, and the opinion of other people should not upset me.
At the same time, he noted that if this happened to him and he was in my place, he would feel terrible,” Tsurenko informed BTU.
Tsurenko: I was surprised by Simon’s comments
“I was absolutely shocked by this conversation, and already in the last match [against Donna Vekic] it was incredibly difficult to play, difficult to get together and today, when it was time to go to the court, I had a panic attack and I just couldn’t go there.
I really hope that I can digest all this information and be more prepared for the next tournament. We asked for a conference call with the WTA Board of Directors to raise the question of how a man like Steve Simon can be a leader in the WTA and what we can do about it.
How can we further understand that our organization somehow protects our rights? I just don’t understand how it happened in this world that such things need to be explained. This is very surprising and very painful,” Tsurenko claimed.
Last year, Ukrainian gamers desired the ATP and also WTA to permit Russian and also Belarusian gamers to complete just after they openly condemn the activities of the Russian and also Belarusian federal governments. The ATP and also WTA declined to perform as Russian and also Belarusian gamers have actually been contending for the previous year as neutrals.
