Elina Svitolina feels US Open chiefs ‘should have taken more serious action’ against Russian players
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina admits she is disappointed by the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete at the US Open.
Former world No 3 Svitolina was hoping the USTA would follow in the footsteps of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) who banned players from the two countries from competing at Wimbledon.
The AELTC decision came on the back of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine in February this year and the move was in contrast to the French Tennis Federation, ATP, WTA and ITF’s decision to allow players from Russia and Belarus to compete as individuals under a neutral flag.
US Open latest: USTA clears Russian and Belorussian players to compete
“It’s their decision to make, they decided to take this path. I don’t support it because I feel like they should have taken more serious action,” Svitolina told Reuters.
“Our (Ukraine’s) sports is thrown back by 10 years minimum because all the infrastructure has been damaged or completely destroyed. I can tell you many, many factors that can play a role in the decision of not letting Russian and Belarusian players compete.”
The 27-year-old also revealed there is “tension” between the Ukrainian and Russian and Belarusian tennis players, adding that she was surprised that players from the two countries were not more supportive.
“For us it was not really understandable why we didn’t get support from them. I feel like it created tension between us,” she revealed.
Svitolina, who found out that she was pregnant with her first child with fellow professional player Gael Monfils a few days before the invasion started, admits she has a different outlook on life.
“The priorities changed, the vision of life changed,” she said. “It’s not that I didn’t cherish the family time with my parents before but now I really enjoy spending time with them.
“They got a chance to leave Ukraine and they are in Europe right now. A lot of things changed inside, mentally. A war really changes people.”
Latest
-
Tennis NewsHow much can Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal charge for a sponsored post on Instagram?
Rafael Nadal may have slipped down the rankings, but he can still get some good money for sponsored ads.
-
Tennis NewsEmma Raducanu backed to win more Slams, but warned about ‘toxic’ social media and endorsement obligations
Monica Puig has some advice for Emma Raducanu.
-
WimbledonRoger Federer’s BBC Wimbledon role should be ‘something unique’ like ‘running a show or doing interviews’
It wouldn’t make sense for Roger Federer to sit in the commentary booth for eight hours a day.
-
Tennis NewsDominic Thiem explains ‘defining criteria’ that leaves only Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in GOAT race
“Everything else is fine, but it’s not the same,” says Dominic Thiem.
-
Tennis NewsYoung Americans relishing prospect of the clay swing
Ben Shelton and the other young Americans are raring to go on clay.
-
NewsMan City scandal, politics and Mason Greenwood – the tennis player driving a spicy Twitter account
Twitter can be a place where opinions can divide and reactions can be brutal, yet Liam Broady doesn’t hold back.
-
Grand SlamJimmy Connors delivers trademark tribute to Novak Djokovic
Jimmy Connors delivers a glowing tribute to Novak Djokovic.
-
ATP TourNovak Djokovic on course to break rankings record in February
Novak Djokovic moves one step closer to immortality.
-
WTA TourWTA Rankings: Alycia Parks on the brink of top 50, Lin Zhu achieves season goal
It was a landmark week for Alycia Parks and Lin Zhu.
-
Tennis NewsThe Davis Cup Finals group stage set after qualifiers
The Davis Cup finals are taking shape.