It has emerged that the decision concerning Victoria Azarenka’s withdrawal from a charity exhibition event occurred after there was a series of concerns raised by players with some speaking to their embassy in America.
On Wednesday the United States Tennis Association (USTA) issued a statement confirming that the two-time Grand Slam champion will not be participating in the Tennis Plays for Peace event in New York “given sensitivities to Ukrainian players.” The fundraiser coincides with Ukraine’s Independence Day, as well as the six-month anniversary of Russia launching their ‘special military operation.’ Proceeds will go to the Ukraine crisis relief fund GlobalGiving. A host of top names such as Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek are taking part.
Azarenka was included in the original line-up but hadn’t publicly commented on her participation. Her inclusion was perceived as controversial by the Ukrainian players who were against the idea of those from ‘aggressor countries’ taking part. Azarenka is from Belarus who is accused of Supporting Russia in the conflict and allowing them to launch attacks from their land. Marta Kostyuk had previously said she would not take part in such an event if players such as Azarenka are included.
In a statement the USTA said: “In the last 24 hours, after careful consideration and dialogue with all parties involved, Victoria Azarenka will not be participating in our “Tennis Plays for Peace Exhibition” this evening.
“Vika is a strong player leader and we appreciate her willingness to participate.
“Given the sensitivities to Ukrainian players and the ongoing conflict, we believe this is the right course of action for us.”
Details about the dialogue that took place was not disclosed by the USTA. However, World No.89 Lesia Tsurenko has shed some light on what has been going on in recent days. Speaking to reporters, she confirmed that players from her country ‘took a number of actions’ in communicating with the USTA that they are against Russian and Belarusian players taking part.
“When we learned that her participation in the event was still confirmed, I felt my reaction and talked to many of my acquaintances, with Ukrainians. Of course, everyone was in shock, they did not understand how she had anything to do with this event. We have taken a number of actions in order to explain to the USTA, the organizers of this event, that this is incorrect and unacceptable for the Ukrainian public, and the Ukrainian people. We were able to convey this information. Which argument worked, I can’t say for sure, but I’m glad it did,” sport.ua quoted Tsurenko as saying.
It has also emerged that some players contacted the Ukrainian embassy in America where they discussed the issue. A zoom call between the parties came about following an incident at the Western and Southern Open where a tennis fan was asked to leave a match over the size of her Ukrainian flag which officials said was bigger than the regulated size.
“Also, after the incident with the flag in Cincinnati , we contacted the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States. We had a conversation on Zoom, and it has already reached the level of the state position that both Ukrainians and representatives of the aggressor countries cannot participate in such an event at the same time. That it’s wrong. I’m glad we’re on the same front. Again, I don’t know exactly which argument worked, but I’m glad that Azarenka changed her mind and decided not to participate,” Tsurenko added.
Azarenka hasn’t commented on the decision surrounding her removal from the charity event.
The USTA hopes to raise a total of $2M to support those affected by the Ukraine crisis over the next three weeks whilst the US Open takes place.
