Lesia Tsurenko has criticized what she describes as
Andrey Rublev’s lack of interest in the current war between Russia and Ukraine following his response to the
Wimbledon ban.
On Wednesday The All England Tennis Club confirmed that they will
become the first Grand Slam to ban Russian and Belarussian players in
response to the devastating war in Ukraine. The move has split opinion in tennis with some arguing the sport and politics should be kept separate. Both the WTA and
ATP have already spoken out against Wimbledon, as well as the British LTA who are also taking similar measures.
Rublev is one of those players who are banned from the grass-court
major. Speaking to reporters at the Serbian Open, Rublev said he has ‘no
education’ about the current situation in Ukraine and is not watching
the news. Although he believes the ban is ‘complete discrimination.’
Former world number 25 Lesia Tsurenko, a native Ukraniana responded to his comments saying:
“That man (Rublev) is not interested in what is happening in his
own country. At all. He also is not interested in what is happening in
the neighbouring country. Impressive. What an abyss between our states and people, that I have not noticed for so long! I so regret it. I was blind.”
