Lesia Tsurenko announces WTA has opened investigation into her coach: "The chairman is trying to avoid responsibility for his own actions"

Thursday, 22 June 2023 at 11:32

Lesia Tsurenko has confirmed that her coach, Mykyta Vlasov has had an investigation opened by WTA but due to confidentiality, the reason is not yet fully known.

But the player herself has linked it to complaints made after Tsurenko had a panic attack at Indian Wells following comments made by WTA CEO, Steve Simon.

"A few days ago I had a conversation with our WTA CEO Steve Simon and I was absolutely shocked by what I heard," she said as per BTU at the time.

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"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.

"At the same time, he noted that if this happened to him and he was in my place, he would feel terrible."

"I was absolutely shocked by this conversation, and already in the last match [against Donna Vekic] it was incredibly difficult to play, difficult to get together and today, when it was time to go to the court, I had a panic attack and I just couldn’t go there," she added.

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On her coach now being investigated, it came as a huge surprise. "I am shocked," said Tsurenko as per BTU translated. "I have already contacted my lawyers to discuss further actions."

She said that it was her coach who enacted an investigation into Steve Simon's actions after no formal case was opened and said that now they are trying to get rid of the only person who is speaking up in her corner.

"My coach initiated an investigation into Steve Simon's actions. He submitted an official request to the WTA to open a case. And today I received a letter in which the association informed me that the case was opened against my coach."

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"They decided to just get rid of the only person who spoke in my defense in this incident with the WTA chairman. I feel like with such effort WTA is trying to put pressure on me, continuing what Steve Simon started. I can't believe that in the civilized world it is still possible to see such dirty games, and that the chairman of the company is trying to avoid responsibility for his own actions in any way and will not shy away from using any means."

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Ukrainian Tennis • BTU

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❗️ Lesia Tsurenko announces that the WTA has opened an investigation into her coach "I feel like with such effort WTA is trying to put pressure on me, continuing what Steve Simon started" 👇 btu.org.ua/tennis-news/45…

6:15 PM · Jun 21, 2023

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