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Lesia Tsurenko’s coach Nikita Vlasov has hit back at Aryna Sabalenka for her comments regarding the Ukrainian’s Indian Wells withdrawal.
Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko recently made headlines after she pulled out of her third-round encounter against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells. The World No. 81 later cited a panic attack as the reason for her withdrawal against the World No. 2 and eventual finalist.
She revealed that a disturbing conversation with WTA CEO Steve Simon regarding the inclusion of Russian and Belarussian players at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics is what triggered the panic attack.
After the revelation, Aryna Sabalenka expressed her views regarding the player’s withdrawal. The Belarusian stated that the WTA is taking appropriate measures to ease the tension between the players of the involved countries.
“I still have this belief that I did nothing bad to Ukraine; not me, not Russian athletes, not one of us did something bad,” she said, adding, “I think WTA are doing really great job to support both sides.”
The World No. 2 also suggested that the insurmountable pressure put by Lesia Tsurenko’s coach Nikita Vlasov on her likely led to the panic attack.
"I think Tsurenko withdraw, there was more than panic attack or more than political situation. I had really tough situation last year with her coach the way he act to me. So I think that guy put so much pressure on her, and that's why that happen. It’s nothing to do with the WTA," Aryna Sabalenka said.
Nitika Vlasov condemned the comments by the Australian Open champion.
“There were no words from Sabalenka about wishing Lesia well or a speedy recovery. She didn’t condemn Simon’s words by any means and the whole situation either,” Vlasov was quoted as saying.
“In her comment she did the same trick as the Russian propaganda did at the beginning of the war. Back then Russians and Belarusians said that it was the Ukrainians who were bombing their capital. It’s just an attempt to shift the focus from the situation, nothing else,” the coach added.
"All of us understand Ukrainians, and we really feel bad for them" - Aryna Sabalenka
While addressing Lesia Tsurenko’s Indian Wells withdrawal and claims about the WTA, Aryna Sabalenka revealed that she herself had a tough time dealing with the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war.
“I was through so many bad things, and unfortunately, I'm not able to say that because who gonna believe Belarusian girl,” she said.
The World No. 2 stated that, throughout the ordeal, the players were striving to maintain civility in the locker room.
“All of us just trying to, you know, keep the calmest in the locker room and keep understanding that this is not our fault,” she said.
Aryna Sabalenka also sympathized with the Ukrainians and stated that some athletes were offering help, however possible.
“All of us understand Ukrainians, and we really feel bad for them, you know,” she said. “Even some of us are like helping. Like not like, how to say, publicly, yes.”
