World No.1 Iga Swiatek made a statement regarding the ATP and WTA’s decisions on Russian players. Swiaket believes the tennis think tank should have done something at the start when Russia declared war on Ukraine, and opined that too late to do anything.
The 21-year-old has always shown her support to the Ukrainian rivals. She wanted the tennis bosses to do more to make a point to help players cope a bit better in the locker room.
“I feel like tennis, from the beginning, could do a bit better in showing everybody that tennis players are against the war,” Swiatek told BBC. Also Read: Patrick Mouratoglou Calls Novak Djokovic The ‘GOAT’; Opines That Carlos Alcaraz Is More Impressive Than The Serb
Iga Swiatek says some countries were banned during World War II to participate in tennis tournaments
She added that during World War II, German, Italian, as well as Japanese players were banned and if the Russians and Belarusians also were banned in the beginning, it would have shown the Russian government that the war is not worth it.
Swiatek, who won her second French Open title in 2022 and clinched the US Open title as well, said that sport has always been used in propaganda and that if tennis does something now, it would be too late.
“I know it’s a small thing because we are just athletes, a little piece in the world but I feel like sport is pretty important and sport has always been used in propaganda.
“This is something that was considered at the beginning, tennis didn’t really go that way, but now it would be pretty unfair for Russian and Belarusian players to do that because this decision was supposed to be made a year ago,” Swiatek added. Also Read: Die-Hard Novak Djokovic Fan Shares Heartwarming Instagram Post After The Serb Surprises Her In Monte Carlo
Wimbledon has permitted the aforementioned countries’ players to play in this year’s tournament under a neutral banner after their sanction last year. Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam to ban competitors from both countries.
Meanwhile, the Pole, who missed the Miami Open due to a rib injury, has started practicing on clay ahead of her Stuttgart title defense. When she withdrew from Miami Open, she announced she would miss Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers but she is expected to play at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, starting April 17th. Last year, she defeated Aryna Sabalenka on the clay courts of Stuttgart in the final. Also Read: Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Reveals Night-Time Routine With Daughter Olympia
Thank you for reading it. Leave us a comment if you liked it.
Do follow us on: Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | LinkedIn
Have a good day ahead 🙂
