"I thought internet connection was bad" - Lesia Tsurenko recalls appalling lack of response from WTA in response to discrimination against Ukrainians

Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko expressed her disappointment with the lack of response from the WTA regarding discrimination against Ukrainian players during an online meeting between her compatriots and WTA representatives.

The meeting was reportedly held to discuss the WTA Tour's policy regarding Russia's war against Ukraine, which is now in its 14th month. During the meeting, Tsurenko questioned the representatives about their plans to protect Ukrainian players and their rights.

However, to her surprise, there was no response from their end, leaving the 33-year-old thinking at one point that she was not hearing any answers only because of a poor internet connection.

"There was simply no answer to my questions. At first, I even thought that maybe the Internet connection was bad, so not everyone could hear me entirely or partly. So I repeated my questions once more. But nothing has changed... There was simply no answer. None of those present said a word. It was a shock," Lesia Tsurenko said, as reported by @ukrtennis_eng on Twitter.

Tsurenko was particularly concerned about the lack of attention given to Ukrainian players by the WTA, while they were constantly talking about Russian and Belaruisan tennis players and how to preserve their "rights and freedoms."

"Throughout the entire war, we constantly hear about the prevention of discrimination against Russian and Belarusian players, about preserving their rights and freedoms, about support from the tours and about all-around protection - as the policy of the WTA. And what about the Ukrainians?" she added.

Lesia Tsurenko further asked the WTA representatives what they have done, are doing and plan to do to protect the universal human rights of her compatriots. Once again, the World No. 77 was only greeted with an empty silence.

"I asked everyone present what have you done, are doing and plan to do to prevent discrimination against the Ukrainians? To protect the universal human rights of the players from Ukraine?...There was simply no answer to my questions," Lesia Tsurenko said.

Lesia Tsurenko falls to Ons Jabeur in straight sets at Charleston Open

2022 French Open - Day Two

Lesia Tsurenko was last seen in action at the Charleston Open, where Ons Jabeur secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 win over the Ukrainian in the second round. The Tunisian second seed dominated the match, winning 74% of her first-serve points compared to Tsurenko's 53%.

She also won 43% of her second-serve points, and an impressive 70% of points on her opponent's second serve. The 28-year-old hit 13 more winners than her opponent, with a total of 22 winners compared to Tsurenko's 9.

Lesia Tsurenko previously reached the Round of 32 at the BNP Paribas Open, withdrawing prior to her match against Aryna Sabalenka in controversial fashion, and exited the Miami Open in the first round with a loss to Leylah Fernandez.