Former
Svetlana Kuznetsova said that it's clear that many tennis players and people around the world are opposed to Russian people singling out Kvitova in particular.
Petra Kvitova recently said that she agrees with Iga Swiatek that Russian and Belarusian players should not be able to compete as the war in Ukraine continues and it's been negatively received by a portion of fans. Former player Kuznetsova isn't a fan of the statement either as she accused Kvitova of Russophobia:
"It is clear that the Czechs are very opposed to the Russian people. There is now propaganda and Russophobia all over the world. However, I believe that athletes should not get involved in this. They just have to play tennis."
She further added:
"I understand if politicians play tennis, but ATP and WTA try to keep this sport away from politics. And if we start this topic, let's talk about all the wars that have taken place for almost the whole modern period in various countries and their consequences for sport."
And concluded with:
"Tennis players don't even understand politics - I don't understand, colleagues from the national team don't understand. Why connect them with this?"