Iga Świątek calls for more support for Ukrainian players
The leader of the world ranking of tennis players Iga Świątek appealed for more support for Ukrainian players after Lesia Tsurenko withdrew from a match with Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells due to a panic attack.
On Monday, Curenko forfeited the third round match against Sabalenka after talking to the head of the WTA, Steve Simon, who said that although he himself does not support the war between Russia and Ukraine, the opposite opinion of tennis players from Russia and Belarus “should not (Curenko – PAP) ) to annoy.” “I was completely shocked by this conversation and it was incredibly difficult for me to play in the last match,” admitted the Ukrainian.
Świątek, who wears a Ukrainian-colored ribbon to her cap during matches and has repeatedly condemned the Russian invasion, believes that the actions taken by the WTA authorities were not enough.
“I totally understand why (Turenko) backed out because honestly, I respect Ukrainian girls a lot. If a bomb fell in my country or my house was destroyed, I don’t know if I would be able to handle it and compete,” said Świątek.
“We should focus more on helping Ukrainian players and providing them with everything they need, because basically they have to take care of their entire families, they have a huge burden on their shoulders,” she stressed.
Earlier, Świątek criticized the Russian Anastasia Potapova for appearing on the court before the match with the American Jessica Pegula in a Spartak Moscow football shirt.
“I thought the player realized that she shouldn’t, even if she is a fan of the team, demonstrate her views in such a way in such times” – rated No. 1 in the world ranking.
Swiatek believes that such situations could have been avoided.
“At the beginning (when the war broke out) we didn’t have the proper leadership to guide us through it all. There is a lot of tension in the dressing room, which of course will continue because the war is on. It could be a little less if the WTA had taken some action at the beginning to explain to everyone what is good and what is not, added Świątek.
On the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, Świątek defeated the British Emma Raducan 6: 3, 6: 1 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament in Indian Wells. The next rival of the Polish defending champion will be the Romanian Sorana Cirstea. (PAP)
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