After speaking with the WTA chief executive, Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko withdrew from her match against Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the third round in Indian Wells, she said on Monday.
Tsurenko, who on Friday defeated Donna Vekic of Croatia 2-6 6-2 6-2, withdrew from the competition soon before the start of her match against Sabalenka on Monday, claiming personal concerns, according to the tournament’s organisers.
“The reason for the withdrawal was a panic attack,” Tsurenko later told the Big Tennis Ukraine website on Monday.
“Officially it will be written ‘personal reasons’, but in fact it is breathing problems and, one might say, hysteria.”
The 33-year-old said that a discussion she had regarding tennis’ response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with WTA CEO Steve Simon a few days prior was the cause of her panic attack.
“I was absolutely shocked by what I heard. He told me that he himself does not support the war, but if the players from Russia and Belarus (do), then this is only their own opinion, and the opinion of other people should not upset me,” she said.
“At the same time, he noted that if this had happened to him and he had been in my place, he would have felt terrible.”
WTA’s response was: “The WTA has consistently reflected our full support for Ukraine and strongly condemn the actions that have been brought forth by the Russian Government.”
“With this, a fundamental principle of the WTA remains …which is ensuring that individual athletes may participate in professional tennis events based on merit and without any form of discrimination, and not penalised due to the decisions made by the leadership of their country.”
The WTA CEO also voiced optimism in the return of the Russians and Belarusians to the Olympics, according to Tsurenko.
“When asked if he understood what he was saying to me during the active phase of Russia’s military aggression in my country, he said yes, and this was his opinion,” Tsurenko said.
Tsurenko stated that her conversation with the WTA president occurred prior to her second-round victory over Vekic.
“I really hope that I will be able to digest all this information and be better prepared for the next tournament,” she said.
Tsurenko went on to say that Ukrainian players had requested a conference call with the WTA Board of Directors to discuss the governing body’s leadership and other issues.
