Ukrainian withdrew from clash against Belarusian opponent due to 'panic attack'

13 March 2023 , 13:23

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Lesla Tsurenko was set to play Aryna Sabalenka (Image: Getty Images)

Ukrainian star Lesla Tsurenko has revealed she withdrew from her Indian Wells Masters clash against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka due to suffering a panic attack.

Tsurenko was set to take on Sabalenka at the WTA Tour event in California, but was forced to pull out just before - handing her opponent a walkover into the round of 16. Initially, 'personal reasons' were cited for her absence from Sunday's match.

Since though Tsurenko has admitted she had a panic attack, which she claims came after a meeting with the WTA chief executive Steve Simon, as she went on to accuse the organisation of offering minimal support to Ukrainian players.

She told Great Tennis Ukraine: "I was absolutely shocked by what I heard, I just broke down mentally. He told me that he himself does not support the war, but if the players from Russia and Belarus support it, then this is only their own opinion, and the opinion of other people should not upset me."

The 33-year-old also claimed that Simon told her that he expects both Russian and Belarusian athletes to be able to compete at next summer's Olympic Games in Paris under a neutral flag, despite a number of nations calling on them to be banned.

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Lesia Tsurenko pulled out of the event after a chat with WTA chief Steve Simon (Getty Images)

Tsurenko added: "He expressed confidence that the Russians and Belarusians will return to the Olympics, and said that this will happen exactly as it is happening now in tennis. He also said that 'fair play' and Olympic principles were not violated, but on the contrary.

"The very fact that they will perform at the Olympics will show that these principles work, that everyone is equal and everyone has the opportunity to perform there." This is not the first time the Ukrainian has pulled out, having withdrawn from nine matches over the past year.

She commented: "It was difficult to gather myself and today, when it was time to go to the court, I had a panic attack and I just couldn't go out there. I really hope that I will be able to digest all this information and be more ready for the next tournament."

Joshua Lees