Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko laments the lack of support from her home country in her sport
PARIS – Words like “aggression” and “politics”, “ban” and “boycott”, suddenly became part of the daily speech in tennisas well as in many social sectors, and for Ukrainian professional players Lesia TsurenkoThese are not abstract concepts.
Her country is being attacked by Russia. It weighed on her constantly.
Going to court to try to do her job, trying to swing the racket better than the woman over the net on any given day, is really the least of her concerns. And after losing the 1st seed Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-0 on Monday in First round of French OpenTsurenko describes what she finds as upsetting as anything: the lack of colleagues who have spoken out publicly about the Russian invasion or approached her to express sympathy or even simply discuss. about what is happening in Ukraine.
“For me personally, it’s difficult being here,” Tsurenko said, “just because I don’t get a lot of words of support for my country. And it’s hard being around people who look as if they don’t. understand.. It’s just difficult. … I’m Ukrainian, and there’s a war in my country, and it’s very difficult. I think five players spoke to me. four or five. Maybe a few more coaches. … But what can I do?”
Tsurenko, who will turn 33 in a week, is from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. She is ranked 119th and her best Grand Slam performance was the quarterfinals at the 2018 US Open.
After review back home after the invasion started at the end of February – “And try to help there somehow; I don’t know how, but only somehow,” she said – Tsurenko decided to continue.
“It’s not easy being here,” said Tsurenko. “I don’t feel like I care too much. So I’m trying to find a balance between ‘Just go to court and don’t care’ and ‘Try to care.’ In some cases it helps. Like, I don’t really pressure myself. I just go and play. But in some respects, I just feel like: ‘Okay, whatever. okay. I win or lose, whatever. the real problem.”
Now unable to go home between tournaments, she said she joined her compatriots Marta Kostyuk at a tennis academy in Italy before going to France.
They were two of four women from Ukraine who competed in singles at the French Open; no men. A total of 18 players from Russia or Belarus – who contributed to the invasion – participated in the draw for the men’s and women’s pairs; they are not determined by their nationality by the tournament organizers.
While the International Tennis Federation has prevented Russia and Belarus from participating in the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup team competitions, and some other sports, such as football, have banned those countries from participating. As part of their events, Tsurenko noted that only one Tournament tennis took a stance: The All England Club banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing at Wimbledon, which begins on June 27.
In response, the WTA women’s tour and the ATP men’s tournament issued a rebuke by saying they would not award ranking points at Wimbledon.
“I don’t know if I could ask the players to be more concerned, but I’d like to see it from the players, from the WTA, from the ATP,” Tsurenko said. “I want the top players to be more supportive and show more understanding of what’s really going on.”
In Paris, players tended to avoid deliberating about whether the All England Club or tour was appropriate.
“I don’t have a clear view. … I understand both sides,” the 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal said after Monday’s win.
Naomi Osaka said after her first loss that she was “more inclined towards not competing” at this year’s All England Club. Her explanation had nothing to do with Ukraine but instead: “I feel as if if I play Wimbledon without the points, it’s more like an exhibition.”
Tsurenko needs to win three qualifying rounds just to get a starting spot at Roland Garros. Thanks to the draw, her reward was a match against Swiatek, the 2020 champion in Paris, whose win on Monday extended her current winning streak to 29 games.
Swiatek wears a blue and yellow ribbon – the colors of the Ukrainian flag – pinned to her white hat, a sign of solidarity she has shown for several weeks. She is from Poland, which borders Ukraine and has welcomed millions of refugees.
At her press conference, 20-year-old Swiatek was careful to avoid making strong statements and admitting as much.
“Well, to be honest, I tried to avoid saying what I thought directly, because … every solution is going to be wrong for some people. … The sport has been used in politics. , and we are public people, and we have some impact on people. It would be good if those who are making decisions make decisions to prevent Russian aggression,” Swiatek said.
“I feel I have that responsibility, but on the other hand, I don’t have a lot of life experience and I’m aware of that,” she added. “And, yes, when I’m ready to say more, I will.”
Meanwhile, Tsurenko still hopes to hear more.
“I want people to understand that war is terrible and that there is nothing worse in this world but war,” she said. “I think when it’s not in your country, you don’t really understand how terrible it is.”
