Anastasia Potapova, a Russian tennis player, has reacted to Ukrainian opponent Elina Svitolina’s statement that she would refuse to play her because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
With tennis’ regulatory organizations unable to take action despite the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine, Elina Svitolina, the No. 1 seed at the Monterrey Open, has stated that she will not be playing against Anastasia.
While FIFA has barred all Russian football teams from competing, and Formula One has canceled this year’s Russian Grand Prix, tennis’ regulatory bodies have kept silent.
Svitolina claims she has nothing against her Russian opponent, but she has called for the Women’s Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation to intervene.
Posting on Instagram she wrote: “Dear all, I believe the current situation requires a clear position from our organisations: ATP, WTA and ITF.
“As such we – Ukrainian players – requested to ATP, WTA and ITF to follow the recommendations of the IOC to accept Russian or Belarusian nationals only as neutral athletes, without displaying any national symbols, colours, flags or anthems.
“Accordingly, I want to announce that I will not play tomorrow in Monterrey, nor any other match against Russian or Belarusian tennis players until our organisations take this necessary decision. “I do not blame any of the Russian athletes.
They are not responsible for the invasion of our motherland. “Moreover, I wish to pay tribute to all the players, especially Russians and Belarusians, who bravely stated their position against the war.
“Their support is essential.” Reacting, Anastasia Potapova said Russian athletes are “hostages of the situation”.
Anastasia Potapova wrote on Instagram: “As a rule, even in childhood we choose our own path of development.
Even when I was a kid, I dreamed of playing tennis without choosing a match, a country or a partner in the game. “It is difficult to explain to people from politics that for me there is no opponent from any country, I am fighting for victory, my best game, for my result.
“Unfortunately, now we, professional athletes, are essentially becoming hostages of the current situation.
Playing tennis is our choice and our dream, to which we go daily, practicing, and constantly trying to be better in our results.
“I’m sorry, but even though I am a stranger to politics, I am against grief, tears and war.
“The peace unites the world, and everyone should remain human in it.
And children should continue to dream.”
The WTA is yet to respond to Svitolina’s request that Russian or Belarusian nationals be accepted only as neutral athletes. It also remains uncertain what will happen to Potapova in the tournament if the Ukrainian withdraws.
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