“panic attack”, “hysteria” … Comments on the war in Ukraine terrify Lesia Tsurenko, she gives up against a Belarusian

“The reason for my withdrawal is a panic attack. Officially, it’s for personal reasons, but in reality I was having trouble breathing. We can talk about hysteria.”

These words, imbued with emotions and delivered to the Ukrainian site big tennis, are signed Lesia Tsurenko. 33 years old, 95th player in the world, the Ukrainian player declared abandoned, Monday, March 14, the Indian Wells tournament. Terrorized at the idea of ​​facing Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian player.

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The reason: the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “A few days ago, I had a conversation with the CEO of the WTA Steve Simon, details Lesia Tsurenko. “I was absolutely shocked by what I heard. He told me that he himself was against the war, but that if Russian or Belarusian players supported it, it was their own opinion, and that the opinion of others should not bother me.”

These words from the CEO of the WTA deeply shocked the player, and some of her colleagues, who were surprised that Steve Simon could make such comments in a position as high as his.

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The WTA reacted by highlighting the fact that “athletes must be able to participate in professional tournaments on the basis of their merits and without any form of discrimination, without being penalized by the decisions taken by the leaders of their countries”.