PARIS (`) – Words like “invasion” and “politics,” “ban” and “boycott” are suddenly part of daily discourse in tennis, as in many sections of society, really, and for Ukrainian pro Lesia Tsurenko, they aren’t abstract concepts.
Your country is under attack from Russia. It bothers her constantly.
Taking the seat to try and do her job, trying to swing a racquet better than the woman over the net on any given day is really the least of her worries. And after losing to no publicly commented on the invasion of Russia or approached her to express sympathy or just to discuss what is happening in Ukraine.
“Personally, it’s hard for me to be here,” Tsurenko said, “just because I don’t talk much about supporting my country. And it’s just hard being around people who seem like they don’t get it. It’s just tough. … I’m Ukrainian and my country is at war and it’s tough. I think five players spoke to me. Maybe four or five. Maybe a few more trainers. … But what can I do?”
Tsurenko, who will be 33 in a week, is from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. She is ranked 119th and her best Grand Slam performance was the quarterfinals at the 2018 US Open.
After considering going home after the invasion, which started in late February – “And trying to help there in some way; I don’t know in what way, but somehow,” she said – Tsurenko decided to move on.
“It’s not very easy to be here,” Tsurenko said. “I don’t feel like I care too much about it. So I’m trying to find that balance between “just go on the pitch and don’t mind it” vs. “try to mind it”. In some cases it helps. I don’t really put any pressure on myself. I just go and play. But in a way, I’m just like, ‘Okay, whatever. I win or lose whatever. It doesn’t really matter.”
Now that she cannot go home between tournaments, she said she joined compatriot Marta Kostyuk at a tennis academy in Italy before coming to France.
They are two of four women from Ukraine to compete in singles at the French Open; there were zero men. A total of 18 players from either Russia or Belarus – who helped with the invasion – took part in the men’s and women’s draw; They will not be identified by their nationality by the tournament organizers.
While the International Tennis Federation has barred Russia and Belarus from participating in its Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup team competitions, and some other sports, such as soccer, have banned those countries from their events, Tsurenko noted that it’s just tennis Tournament that has taken a stand: The All England Club has banned players from Russia and Belarus from attending Wimbledon, which begins on June 27.
In response, the WTA women’s tour and ATP men’s tour issued a rebuke, saying they would not award ranking points at Wimbledon.
“I don’t know if I can ask the players to care more about it, but I would like to see that from the players, from the WTA, from the ATP,” Tsurenko said. “I wish top players would just be more supportive and show more understanding of what’s really going on.”
In Paris, players have tended to avoid weighing whether the All England Club or the Tour are right.
“I don’t have a clear opinion. … I understand both sides,” said 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal after Monday’s victory.
Naomi Osaka said after her first-round loss she was “more inclined not to play” this year at the All England Club. Her statement made no reference to Ukraine, but read: “I feel like if I play Wimbledon without points, it’s more of a show.”
Tsurenko had to win three times in qualifying to advance to the main round at Roland Garros. Thanks to the draw, her reward was a matchup against Swiatek, the 2020 champions in Paris, whose victory on Monday extended her current winning streak to 29 games.
Swiatek wore a blue and yellow ribbon – the colors of the Ukrainian flag – on her white cap, a show of solidarity she has been showing for several weeks. She comes from Poland, a country that borders Ukraine and has taken in millions of refugees.
At her press conference, 20-year-old Swiatek carefully avoided and admitted to making a strong statement.
“Well, honestly, I’ve tried to avoid saying what I think outright because … any solution is going to be wrong for some people. … Sport has been used in politics and we’re kind of a public figure and we have some influence over people. It would be nice if the people who make decisions would make decisions that will stop Russia’s aggression,” Swiatek said.
“I feel like I have that responsibility, but then again, I don’t have a lot of life experience and I’m aware of it,” she added. “And, yes, when I’m ready to say more, I will.”
Meanwhile, Tsurenko hopes to hear more.
“I want people to understand that war is terrible and there is nothing worse in this world than war,” she said. “I think if it’s not in your country you don’t really understand how awful it is.”
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