Ukraine invasion still disrupts top-level sport
More than a year after the Russian invasion in Ukraine, with the support of Belarus, tennis is still struggling to manage the situation in its tournaments. The players of these two nations compete under neutral flag, but the chance of the tables can very well oppose them to Ukrainians or Ukrainians. And the tension escalated a notch this week, when a Ukrainian player, Lesia Tsurenko, forfeited just before meeting Aryna Sabalenka at the 3e round.
“Of course there is a lot of tension between us”admitted Belarusian noh 2 World, Friday. “But I remain convinced that I did nothing wrong to the Ukrainians – neither me nor the Russians”defended the winner of the last Australian Open, after her victory at the expense of the Greek Maria Sakkari, to rally the final of the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells, California.
“None of us has control over this situation. We all try to stay calm in the locker room… we all understand Ukrainians and we feel really bad for them”she added.
Ukrainian player Lesia Tsurenko explained to the Ukrainian site big tennis have been the victim of a ” panic attack “ after a conversation with the WTA boss about the consequences of the war in his country. The Polish noh 1 world, Iga Swiatek, reacted, saying he understood Tsurenko. “Honestly, I respect Ukrainian women a lot, because if a bomb fell in my country or my house was destroyed, I don’t know if I could bear it. »
“No one can control other people’s emotions. And I think the WTA is doing its best on that front to support both sides.”for his part estimated Sabalenka, before advancing: “Tsurenko’s withdrawal is not due to a panic attack or the political situation. (…) I think there is something more. I found myself in a very difficult situation last year with his coach, because of the way he behaved with me. I think that guy put a lot of pressure on him, and that’s why it happened.”she continued, without giving more details on this alleged incident.
“I went through so many hard times, but unfortunately I can’t say it, because, after all, who’s going to believe the Belarusian girl? »concluded Sabalenka.