The head of the WTA has insisted that his organization will continue to support Ukraine players as much as possible after coming under criticism over the past week.
Steve Simon has said the WTA‘s position regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine is not weakening and has rejected suggestions that their support towards those affected by the conflict could be improved. Earlier this week world No.99 Leisa Tsurenko withdrew from her match against Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells after suffering a panic attack which she linked to a meeting with Simon.
Tsurenko said she was told by the official that she shouldn’t get upset if Russian players support their country’s war against Ukraine as it is only their opinion. He also allegedly said that it is likely that Russia will be allowed to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games and the support provided to Ukrainian players on Tour is ‘being monitored.’
“A few days ago I had a conversation with our WTA CEO Steve Simon and I was absolutely shocked by what I heard,” Tsurenko told BTU. “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. At the same time, he noted that if this happened to him and he was in my place, he would feel terrible.”
Meanwhile, world No.1 Iga Swiatek said more support should be provided to players from Ukraine who are unable to return home due to the war. She also criticized fellow player Anastasia Potapova for wearing a Spartak Moscow football shirt whilst walking onto the court in Indian Wells to play against Jessica Pegula. Potapova has since been ‘spoken to’ by the WTA but it is unclear if the governing body ever had any policy or advice in place which stated that the Russian player couldn’t do what she did. Prompting Swiatek to add that there should have been better measures in place to address such a situation occurring.
Responding to the criticism during an interview with BBC Sport, WTA CEO Simon has defended his management of the situation but concedes that there is a ‘variety of opinions’ on the matter.
“We continue to do as much as we have the ability to do,” Simon told the BBC.
“We have done a lot for our athletes, I know there’s a variety of opinions on that out there.
“What’s going on in Ukraine is reprehensible. You can’t support it any way – nor what the Russian government is doing.
“We spoke with Anastasia directly and also have given her a warning so she knows that this was not appropriate and I don’t think we will see any further instances of this going forward.”
It is impossible to say how many soldiers have died in the year-long war as the accounts of both Ukraine and Russia have not been independently verified. However, the United Nations has confirmed that there have been at least 21,965 civilian casualties in the country as of March 13th, 2023. This includes the deaths of 8,231 people.
“Our sympathies are at the highest level with everybody in Ukraine and I don’t think any of us can properly understand what they are going through,” Simon continued.
“I don’t think that any of this is lessening what’s going on over there.
“We continue to speak with [Russian and Belarusian players] and make sure they understand about the sensitivities here and that they are competing as neutral athletes. I think there is a strong understanding on that.”
Russian and Belarussian players are allowed to compete on the Tour but as neutral athletes. A decision the WTA described as a ‘fundamental position’ of theirs amid calls from some for a ban to be implemented.
