Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko walkover her WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open third-round match against 2nd-seeded Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) after suffering panic attacks following a conversation with the president of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
Lesia Tsurenko, who defeated Donna Vekic (Croatia) by 2-1 (2:6, 6:2, 6:2) on Friday, withdrew from the tournament shortly before her match against Aryna Sabalenka, citing personal reasons, organizers said.
“The reason for the withdrawal was a panic attack. Officially it will be written ‘personal reasons’, but in fact, it is about breathing problems and, one might say, hysteria”, said Lesia Tsurenko.
The 33-year-old tennis player revealed that the reason behind her panic attack was a conversation she had days earlier with WTA president Steve Simon about the response in tennis circles to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“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 that is only their own opinion and other people’s opinions should not concern me”, said Lesia Tsurenko. “At the same time, he noted that if this had happened to him and he was in my place, he would have felt terrible”, added the Ukrainian tennis player.
In response to a request for comment, the Women’s Tennis Association told: “The WTA has consistently expressed its full support for Ukraine and strongly condemns the actions taken by the Russian government”.
Lesia Tsurenko added that the head of the WTA expressed his confidence in the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to the Olympic Games.
“When asked if he understood what he was saying to me during the active phase of Russia’s military aggression in my country, he answered affirmatively and that was his opinion”, said Lesia Tsurenko. She added that her conversation with the WTA boss took place before the second-round win against Donna Vekic. “I really hope that I can absorb all this information and be better prepared for the next tournament”, added she.
Lesia Tsurenko revealed that the Ukrainian players have requested a conference call with the WTA Board of Directors to discuss headquarters management and related concerns.
