WTA Chief insists governing bodies are committed to support Ukrainian players after Iga Swiatek’s recent criticisms
WTA CEO Steve Simon stated that the governing bodies will continue to pledge their support for Ukrainian tennis players.
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Steve Simon
The WTA has come under the firing line in the past couple of weeks for their treatment of Russian and Belarusian players. WTA chief executive Steve Simon drew criticism from Ukraine tennis player Lesia Tsurenko for his comments on the current political situation. She made a last minute withdrawal from her third round encounter against Aryna Sabalenka at the Indian Wells Open.
Lesia Tsurenko stated that she was shocked by Steve Smith’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war scenario, and revealed that she suffered from a panic attack prior to her withdrawal from the tournament. World number one Iga Swiatek also rallied for better leadership and more support for Ukrainian tennis players.
Russian tennis player Anastasia Potapova was warned by the WTA for wearing a Spartak Moscow football shirt before her clash against Jessica Pegula at the Indian Wells.
“We have done a lot for our athletes, I know there’s a variety of opinions on that out there. What’s going on in Ukraine is reprehensible. You can’t support it any way – nor what the Russian government is doing. We spoke with Anastasia directly and also have given her a warning, so she knows that this was not appropriate and I don’t think we will see any further instances of this going forward,” Steve Simon said.
“Our sympathies are at the highest level with everybody in Ukraine” : Steve Simon
Steve Simon also reaffirmed the Ukrainian players on tour, that WTA continues to pledge their unwavering support towards the country. He revealed that the authorities are in constant dialogue with Russian and Belarusian players to make sure they understand the sensitivity of the situation.
“We continue to speak with [Russian and Belarusian players] and make sure they understand about the sensitivities here and that they are competing as neutral athletes. I think there is a strong understanding on that,” Simon said.
“We’ve always had the position – and it’s been a fundamental position of the tour – that every player that is eligible should be allowed to play. And this is irrespective to decisions that may have been made by local governments. We’ve been consistent with that and we are going to stay consistent with that. We think that the neutral approach is appropriate,” Simon added.
Daniil Medvedev was also asked to opine on the same after reaching the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters. The Russian revealed that he certainly felt sorry for his Ukrainian counterparts, but refused to comment much on the Lesia Tsurenko’s surprising withdrawal.
“I definitely do feel sorry for all the Ukrainian players and what they go through. For sure, the situation with Tsurenko, I don’t know in detail. It’s more for her and for maybe a little bit Sabalenka to answer. Talking about top players, of course we have a responsibility, and it depends how every person, individual, will do with it and will hold with it,” Medvedev said.
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