Aryna Sabalenka became the first ‘neutral champion’ at the Australian Open this year, where neither she nor Russian or other Belarussian players could associate their national flags with them. Amidst the tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian player Lesia Tsurenko withdrew her match against Sabalenka at Indian Wells in March this year.
Addressing the war situation and the incident involving Lesia Tsurenko’s withdrawal, Aryna Sabalenka acknowledged that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine had cascaded into the world of sports. However, Sabalenka asserted, “Nobody can control the emotions of others, you know. And I think WTA are doing their best to kind of control it.”
She recognized the strained relations among players of these nations but firmly held the view that none of the players from Russia or Belarus including herself, had acted wrongfully towards Ukrainians. She stated, “I did nothing bad to Ukraines; not me, not Russian athletes, not Belarusian athletes, not one of us did something bad.”
Aryna Sabalenka: “I still believe I did nothing bad to Ukrainians; not me or Russian & Belarusian athletes..All of us are trying go be calm in the locker room & keep understanding that it’s not our fault. All of us understand Ukrainians, & we really feel bad for them, you know.” pic.twitter.com/1Qu6at06Ob
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 18, 2023
On Tsurenko’s withdrawal, she mentioned, “I think there is something more. I had a really tough situation last year with her coach…So I think that guy put so much pressure on her…It’s nothing to do with WTA.” Sabalenka suspected that Tsurenko’s decision to withdraw wasn’t solely due to a panic attack or political reasons. She recalled the past issues with her coach and external pressures that may have contributed to her decision.
In the end, Sabalenka concluded that she empathized with the Ukrainian players and the situation they were in. She cannot control the political situation but can do whatever in her capacity to keep the locker room calm.
Why did Tsurenko withdraw from her match with Aryna Sabalenka?
Lesia Tsurenko had withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open due to a panic attack following a conversation with WTA chief executive Steve Simon, as disclosed by her later. She was originally set to play with Belarusian, Aryna Sabalenka but had to forfeit the match. Tsurenko later revealed that she was “absolutely shocked” by Simon’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, during their discussion.
While discussing her ordeal that led to the panic attack, Tsurenko stated, “He told me that he himself does not support the war, but if the players from Russia and Belarus support it, then this is only their own opinion, and the opinion of other people should not upset me.”
Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko withdrew from a match with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus last night. Crowd were informed minutes before they were due on. @ukrtennis_eng quotes Tsurenko saying she suffered a panic attack. References a conversation with WTA CEO Steve Simon. https://t.co/ThlHDN4w59
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) March 13, 2023
Steve Simon further revealed to her that Wimbledon organizers unlike last year, were contemplating lifting the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, a decision that aligned with the stance of the International Olympic Committee for the Paris Olympics next year.
The WTA chief’s conversations were quite disturbing and painful for Tsurenko to accept. It broke her mentally and she couldn’t simply go out to the court and play, leading to her withdrawal from the match.