Daniil Medvedev has expressed sympathy for Ukrainian players competing in tennis tours in the midst of unrest in their country, which Russia invaded last year.
Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine withdrew from her match against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells, citing a panic attack triggered by a conversation with WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon about tennis’ response to Russia’s invasion.
Belarus has served as a staging area for a “special military operation,” according to Moscow.
Iga Swiatek, the world number one for women’s tennis, has called for more support for Ukrainian players competing during the ongoing crisis.
“I definitely do feel sorry for all the Ukrainian players and what they go through,” Russian Medvedev said after reaching the semi-finals at Indian Wells.
“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, because I actually didn’t know about this till the next day,” added the 2021 U.S. Open champion.
Western military officials estimate that more than 100,000 people have been killed or injured on both sides since Russia’s invasion. Tens of thousands of civilians are also thought to have died, while millions have fled the fighting.
The ATP said in a statement last year that they “strongly condemn Russia’s reprehensible invasion of Ukraine”.
“Of course we have a responsibility (to talk about the issue) and it depends how every person, individual, will do with it,” world number six Medvedev said.
“I’ve always said the same, I’m for peace all over the world and that’s all I can say.”
