“It’s causing me fear… It’s about our future and our lives,” Russian tennis star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova takes a brave stand on the Russia Ukraine war
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
The globe is in upheaval as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in Ukraine. Russian missiles bombarded the capital and other sections of the country as Russian soldiers escalated their offensive. Some families were compelled to evacuate their houses and seek refuge in shelters as a result. Ukraine is in shambles; bombs are raining down on the country, hundreds are dying, and thousands are fleeing. Many high-profile tennis players spoke up about the war, calling out for peace.
On Wednesday, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova spoke with CNN about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The tennis star is a top-ranked Russian player and is ranked 14th in the world. The 30-year-old is a three-time junior grand slam champion. The junior prodigy became world no. 1 at the age of 14.
‘I have a fear for the future’: Pavlyuchenkova
“I’m not a politician,” she said. “I’m just a woman who plays tennis professionally. I just try to speak out, try to make my point. I don’t want violence. We just want peace and love and stop the war.”
Pavlyuchenkova, an Olympic mixed doubles champion at last summer’s Tokyo Games, made the most protruding statement of her countrymen of whom, including mixed doubles partner Andrey Rublev, have embraced variations of the prevalent hashtag #нeтвоне, or “No to War”—on social media Monday, defending her country’s offensive action.
“I have a fear for the future,” she said, most likely referring to many Russians’ dread of protesting the Vladimir Putin-led invasion. “We need to think about our children as well. I want a future for the children.”
From Dubai, where she is rehabilitating a knee injury that will keep her out of play for the next two months, the Roland Garros finalist expounded on her sentiments.
“I don’t want to be selfish and talk about my career; it’s not about sport and tennis right now. It’s about our future and our lives,” she added.
Shilpi Pusadkar
(106 Articles Published)