Dayana Yastremska news: Former world No 21 plans to play in the Lyon Open despite fleeing Ukraine

WTA Tour
Dayana Yastremska

Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska has fled her war-torn country with her younger sister to seek safety in France, and is still planning on taking part in the Lyon Open which kicks off on February 28.

The 21-year-old lived in Odessa with her parents and her sister but once the port city started to be targeted as ships were hit with missiles, Yastremska’s parents helped their children flee from the country.

She announced via an Instagram story on Saturday that she was safe in Romania, on her way to France.

“Tired, but my sister and I are safe,” she posted.

“Thank you France, Ukraine stay strong, we miss you home, Mum and Dad.”

Even though Russian troops started to try and take control of her country just a few days ago, the three time WTA title winner is still due to play Ana Bogdan from Romania in Lyon.

The former world No 21 revealed her intention to leave Ukraine on Friday when she posted a picture of her and her sister sat on suitcases which was captioned: “After spending two nights in the underground parking, my parents made a decision at any cost to send me and my little sister out of Ukraine.

“Mom, Dad, we love you very much, take care of yourself!!! I love you my country! Ukrainians take care of your lives!”

Ukraine is a pool of tennis talent as Yastremska isn’t the only successful player to hail from the recently devastated country as seven Ukrainians feature in the WTA’s top 200 players, including Elina Svitolina, who is the highest ranked Ukrainian, Anhelina Kalinina and Marta Kostyuk.

Yastremska won’t be the only Ukrainian to flee the country as thousands have already crossed the border into Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary, and most likely many more will be looking to do the same journey.

The Lyon Open starts on February 28 and finishes on March 6.

Dayana Yastremska

Latest