Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremskaya commented on the admission of Russians to international tennis competitions.
“Who needs to be reminded most that the war continues is the WTA. They were the first to forget that there was a war going on.
What irritates me most is their position on allowing Russian tennis players to participate in tournaments. Tennis is one of the few sports where this situation occurs.. And it drives me to despair. Moreover, some Russians do not even hide their support for aggression against Ukraine.
There have been so many times when I reported to the WTA that a Russian woman publicly supports Putin. They promised to look, but nothing – silence. The WTA constantly promises to investigate such incidents and take any measures, but then silence. Unbelievable. Nobody even talks about it anymore.
But I will not remain silent, I will continue to talk about it.
Why are there not so many Russians in other sports? Because these are normal organizations. But not the WTA.
It cannot be said that tennis is a weapon in our hands. The mission of sport is to unite people, communities, so I think about tennis when I step on the court. But if I play against Russians, then I think that I would like to have a pistol with me.
There is genocide happening in Ukraine, and it’s unfair that we have to continue to play with them,” Yastremska said at a press conference in Vilnius.
Let us remind you that on November 11-12, the Ukrainian team will play against the Netherlands at the Billie Jean King Cup in Vilnius.