Two Ukrainian female tennis players targeted a swing at the WTA on Monday after they criticized the organization for not taking a position on their country’s Russian invasion. Marta Kostyuk, ranked 54th in the world, and Lesya Tsurenko, a former top-25 player who is now ranked 127th, both posted a letter on social media that “reaction to any response with the status of our homeland.” to our great surprise and dissatisfaction with the shortfall”. ,
“It is particularly strange that the WTA’s response to prior cases of social justice and sexual harassment was prompt, appropriate and bold,” he wrote.
“We demand that the WTA immediately condemn the Russian government, pull all tournaments from Russia and contact the ITF to do so.”
He urged the WTA to “follow the guidance of the IOC”, which has called for a sports ban on Russia.
But Kostyuk and Surenko stopped short of calling for a ban on Russian players.
“We fully support our allies in Russia and any Russian-speaking tennis player because we understand that the unprovoked attacks took place without their knowledge and participation.”
“Stop the war. Stop the Russian invasion. Bring peace to our homes. Be human,” he concluded.
On Monday, the WTA tweeted a video of Ukrainian sisters Dayana and Ivanna Yastremska on their way to court for a doubles match in Lyon.
The video shows Dayana with a large Ukrainian flag draped over her shoulders.
“Sending love back home,” the WTA caption said.
The pair lost 6-3, 6-4 to Spaniards Georgina García-Perez and Xenia Knoll of Switzerland.
Dayana tweeted: “Hard to stay in court when all thoughts about Ukraine and family.”
On Sunday, Dayana said she and her family spent two nights at an underground shelter in Odessa.
“After spending two nights in an underground parking lot, my parents decided at any cost to send me and my little sister out of Ukraine! Mom, dad, we love you so much, take care of yourself!! ! I love you my country,” the former top-25 player wrote.
Also on Sunday, the Ukrainian Tennis Federation wrote to the European Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Federation, demanding the expulsion of Russia and Belarus.
The highest-ranking Ukrainian female player, Elina Svitolina, has pledged to donate her prize money from upcoming tournaments to her country’s military and aid groups “to protect you, our country”.
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World number 15 Svitolina also took to Twitter on Sunday, saying: “I am devastated, my eyes won’t stop crying and my heart won’t stop bleeding.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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