Indian Wells, Ukrainian tennis player in panic crisis retires: “Shocked by the words of the WTA chief”

INDIAN WELLS – The withdrawal, “for personal reasons” did not immediately arouse particular curiosity. Lesia Tsurenko, a Ukrainian tennis player with Italian connections too (she was trained until 2019 by a Roman coach, Adriano Albanesi), should have faced Aryna Sabalenka, a Belarusian.

But the match, for the WTA 1000 in California, didn’t take place. And the reason became known only a few hours ago: “Personal reasons? No, the reason for withdrawing was a panic attack. Officially, ‘personal reasons’ must also have been written, but in reality it is a question of respiratory problems and, yes she could say, hysteria.” She said it herself, since no one had asked any more questions, to the Ukrainian media.

But it is the thing that triggered the panic attack that leaves us incredulous: “A few days ago I had a conversation with our CEO of the WTA, Steve Simon, and I was absolutely shocked by what I heard. He told me that he doesn’t support the war himself, but if the Russian and Belarusian players support it, that’s just their opinion. And other people’s opinion shouldn’t upset me. At the same time, he noted that if it had happened to him and he had been in my place, he would have felt terrible.”

So, twist. But Tsurenko didn’t finish revealing the facts: “Simon also expressed confidence that Russians and Belarusians will return to the Olympics and said that it will happen exactly as it is happening now in tennis. He also stated that “fair play” and the Olympic principles have not been violated, on the contrary. And the fact that they will perform at the Olympics will prove that these principles work, that everyone is equal and everyone has the opportunity to perform there. When I asked him if he understood what she was saying to me during the active phase of Russia’s military aggression in my country, he said yes, and that this was his opinion of him.”

Tsurenko shares her recent days. “Shocked by this conversation, already in the last match against Donna Vekic it was incredibly difficult to play. And yesterday, when it was time to go on the pitch, I had a panic attack. I just couldn’t go out there. I really hope I can digest all of this and be better prepared for the next tournament.”

The WTA therefore does not come out well, and an official reply is awaited.