“She did the same trick as the Russian propaganda,” Lesia Tsurenko’s coach slams Aryna Sabalenka over Indian Wells Open incident

Lesia Tsurenko's coach Nikita Vlasov is unhappy with Aryna Sabalenka's comments and criticizes her for the same.


“She did the same trick as the Russian propaganda,” Lesia Tsurenko’s coach slams Aryna Sabalenka over Indian Wells Open incident

Aryna Sabalenka and Lesia Tsurenko

The Ukraine-Russia conflict is beginning to take its toll on the relationships of players with each other. The tensions are palpable in the women’s tennis. Female Ukrainian players such as Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Lesia Tsurenko, amongst others are more active than their male counterparts in condemning the action of Russian military in Ukraine.

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Many Ukrainian players are also beginning to question the ethics and working of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). In a recent few days, there has been immense pressure on the WTA Chief Steve Simon and players from Russia and Belarus.

Lesia Tsurenko had decided to withdraw from her third-round match at the Indian Wells Open against Aryna Sabalenka at the very last minute because of a panic attack. She later revealed the reasons for the panic attack being a disturbing conversation with WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon.

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka commented on what in her mind particular reasons for the Ukrainian player to opt-out of the match. She blamed it upon Lesia Tsurenko’s coach Nikita Vlasov.

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I think Tsurenko withdraw, there was more than panic attack or more than political situation. I had really tough situation last year with her coach the way he act to me. So I think that guy put so much pressure on her, and that’s why that happen. It’s nothing to do with the WTA,” she said.

She also praised WTA for handling the situation well despite great pressure.

“I still have this belief that I did nothing bad to Ukraine; not me, not Russian athletes, not one of us did something bad. I think WTA are doing really great job to support both sides,” she added further.

This time Lesia Tsurenko’s coach hit back at the Belarusian and without minicing any words.

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Something that surprised me the most was that while addressing this terrible situation with Tsurenko, there were no words from Sabalenka about wishing Lesia well or a speedy recovery. She didn’t condemn Simon’s words by any means and the whole situation either. Instead in her comment she did the same trick as the Russian propaganda did at the beginning of the war, when the territory of Belarus was used to shell Kyiv,” he said.

“Back then Russians and Belarusians said that it was the Ukrainians who were bombing their capital. It’s the same here. They didn’t come up with anything new. It’s just an attempt to shift the focus from the situation, nothing else. And I will gladly dive into the discussion and give you more answers, but only after the current situation is resolved,” he continued.

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Lesia Tsurenko’s coach accuses Steve Simon to not let Ukrainian players grievances to be heard

Lesia Tsurenko and WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon
Lesia Tsurenko and WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon

WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon has to assure the public after questions were raised over revelations from Lesia Tsurenko. But since that controversy, the situation for Mr. Simon has become even more difficult. Lesia Tsurenko and her team continue to mount pressure on Mr. Simon.

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Nikita Vlasov has revealed in his latest interview, that WTA Chief Executive did not allow him and the Ukrainian players to tell the world about the evolving horrible situation in Ukraine during the French Open 2022.

“Last year at Roland‐Garros, we tried to make a presentation to show the horror of what was happening at home. The tournament director, Amélie Mauresmo, immediately supported our proposal and promised to help us. But at the last moment, Steve Simon intervened and stopped us and there was no presentation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lesia Tsurenko has been knocked out of the 2023 Miami Open after losing to Leylah Annie Fernandez in the first round. Aryna Sabalenka on the other hand will face Marie Bouzkova in the second round of the same tournament.

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