WTA faces backlash as Lesia Tsurenko's coach calls out WTA's superficial measures to protect Ukrainians

WTA CEO Steve Simon receives backlash from Lesia Tsurenko
WTA CEO Steve Simon receives backlash from Lesia Tsurenko's coach

Lesia Tsurenko’s coach Nikita Vlasov has voiced his displeasure with the WTA’s approach to the sensitive situation involving Ukrainian players amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

On March 12, Lesia Tsurenko pulled out of her third-round Indian Wells match against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka, owing to a panic attack. The Ukrainian later revealed that WTA CEO Steve Simon’s cold take on the probable inclusion of Russian and Belarusian tennis players at the 2024 Olympics triggered the panic attack.

Tsurenko’s coach Nikita Vlasov spoke up about the incident and criticized Simon for his insensitive comments.

“In my mind it’s something straight from a horror movie if a man, who is the head of a company, brings a girl, who’s already suffering from war, to a panic attack with his words and stance,” Vlasov said.

He further called out the governing body for implementing seemingly superficial measures to show support towards Ukrainian players.

“The only thing the WTA really did to support Ukrainians was to place a large vase with blue-and-yellow flags in the office so the players could pin them and show solidarity,” he said.

Lesia Tsurenko’s coach also conveyed that the governing body is yet to respond to Ukrainian players’ request to conduct a meeting regarding Steve Simon’s unsatisfactory conduct.

“So far, there has been no information or email regarding a meeting or a call, as far as I know…” he said.

"Even the WTA No. 1 sees it, but not the CEO" - Lesia Tsurenko's coach highlights Iga Swiatek's considerate gesture to further slam the governing body

Lesia Tsurenko pulled out of her match against Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells
Lesia Tsurenko pulled out of her match against Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells

Lesia Tsurenko’s coach Nikita Vlasov voiced further displeasure about the whole situation and suggested that the women's tennis governing body turning a blind eye towards the issues raised by players from Ukraine wasn’t new. He claimed that the organization has never been the one to initiate the conversations.

“Russian and Belarusian players continue to live a normal life, while Ukrainians endure the hardships and horrors of the war,” he said. “WTA didn’t come forward with an idea to meet with the Ukrainian players in any form, online or offline, even once.”

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek recently called for more attention to be given to the atrocities faced by players from the victim country rather than the complications faced by those from the aggressor countries. Nikita Vlasov highlighted the World No. 1’s thoughtful consideration regarding the issue to point at the organization’s failure.

“Representatives have never asked them whether they have any problems, and for some reason, even the WTA No. 1 sees it, but not the CEO,” Vlasov added.

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Edited by Yash Singh
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