The tennis community has taken to social to express their support for turkey following a devastating terrorist attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport on Tuesday evening.
A triple suicide bomb and gun attack has claimed the lives of at least 41 people and has injured over 130 others. There has been no claim of responsibility, however, Turkish officials have said that the attack bears the hallmark of the Islamic State.
The incident comes two months after a series of withdrawals from the WTA Istanbul Cup in April due to security fears. Camila Giorgi, Irina Falconi, Lucie Hradecka and Victoria Azarenka withdrew before the start of the tournament due to concerns. In the wake of the withdrawals, the WTA announced that players were allowed to pull out of the tournament and play elsewhere. Fortunately, the tournament went on without any incidents.
Turkey hosts a wide range of tennis tournaments throughout this year. Earlier this season, it was confirmed that Antalya will host a new ATP grass-court competition from 2017 onwards. It will be the second ATP tournament in the country after the Istanbul Cup. Apart from hosting WTA and ATP tournaments, the country is set to host 32 Futures tournaments within the first eight months of 2016, one the highest in the world.
Tennis is third most popular sport in Turkey after football and basketball according to a 2013 study conducted by SMG Insight.
Mis condolencias a Turquía. // My thoughts with Turkey 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/Hle4aMluEc
— Feliciano López (@feliciano_lopez) 29 June 2016
Solidaridad y ánimo para #Turquía. Sigamos trabajando para que este mundo mejore. #istambul pic.twitter.com/3evbCbtF7h
— Roberto BautistaAgut (@BautistaAgut) 29 June 2016
My heart and thoughts are with victims and families of this terrible tragedy #stopviolence #istanbul pic.twitter.com/37eJj6iZLF
— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) 29 June 2016
#PrayForTurkey #SpreadLoveNotHate pic.twitter.com/bhJrujUO6X
— Yanina Wickmayer (@wickytennis) 29 June 2016
All my thoughts are with the victims and families affected by this terrible tragedy.. #ENOUGH 😓🙁😡 !!! ❤️🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/xgsqwEEKqC
— Timea Bacsinszky (@TimeaOfficial) 29 June 2016
My heart goes out to the victims of this tragedy! Stop Violence! #InstanbulAttack pic.twitter.com/eID5TvgFJB
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) 29 June 2016
My prayers and thoughts are with the victims and families affected by this terrible tragedy #InstanbulAttack pic.twitter.com/s1l3RrgGDP
— Fabio Fognini (@fabiofogna) 29 June 2016
