Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska shares horrifying personal story involving her sister after Russian attacks in Odesa

Yastremska urges WTA and ITF to reconsider their stance amid ongoing Russian aggression.

Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska shares horrifying personal story involving her sister after Russian attacks in Odesa

Dayana Yastremska and her Instagram Story (Credits: ESPN and Twitter)

Dayana Yastremska, a Ukrainian tennis player, has provided graphic accounts of the missile and drone attacks on her city of Odesa on Tuesday night. Yastremska detailed in a series of dramatic Instagram Stories how her sister Ivanka and her dog sought refuge in the toilet during the horrifying onslaught, as Russia conducted strikes on the city for the second night in a row.

Yastremska, who is competing in Palermo and recently won her first-round match, remained up all night to support her sister and convey her concerns about the safety of her loved ones back home. The Ukrainian’s story included her sister Ivanna’s voice, conveying the dread and panic induced by the missiles and drones’ deafening booms and loud fringe.

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Yastremska addressed the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) in her Instagram Story, imploring them to take note of the awful situation in Ukraine and reevaluate their stance on key topics. She emphasized the striking contrast between players who can sleep comfortably and those who are subjected to the chaos of battle.

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“Just check my stories, or maybe you would like live videos, or visit Ukraine? So you can change your opinion about (Russian flag). Someone sleeps well now, you know who I mean, and someone is trying to survive. Or all Ukrainian players during the tournaments are awake because they are following all the news. Is that fair?” Yastremska wrote on her Instagram Story.

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Ukrainian players including Dayana Yastremska have been raising their voice

Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka
Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka did not shake hands in Wimbledon (Credit:- talkSPORT)

During the continuing tension between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian tennis players have taken a united stand to convey their undying solidarity and support for their motherland. As missile and drone assaults continue to wreak havoc on Ukrainian communities, tennis players are utilizing their platforms to raise awareness and urge for peace.

Wimbledon enforced a ban on Russian and Belarussian players in 2022 in reaction to the rising hostilities in Ukraine, with the goal of emphasizing the region’s and its people’s suffering. As a result of their conduct, Russian and Belarussian players were barred from participating in the tournament. However, after various fines and sanctions were imposed upon AELTC, they lifted the ban this year.

Ukrainian players have unified behind their country, initially boycotting games against players from Russia and Belarus as a symbolic demonstration. Dayana Yastremska, Elina Svitolina, and other famous Ukrainian players have been vocal about their desire to avoid competing against Russian and Belarussian opponents at this turbulent time. They think that playing against players from the prohibited countries would be an affront to their country’s sovereignty as well as the safety and well-being of their fellow people.

Furthermore, in a strong show of defiance, Ukrainian players have refused to shake hands with their Russian and Belarussian opponents. Recently, Svitolina was surrounded by controversies due to her decision to not shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka in French Open and Victoria Azarenka at Wimbledon.

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