"On the one hand, I know that it is not their fault that their country started the war, but on the other hand it is a social responsibility" - Swiatek on Russia & Belarusian colleagues

Iga Swiatek shared her thoughts on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing on the Tour while the war in Ukraine goes on.

Swiatek has been very vocal about her thoughts on the situation in Ukraine staging a charity event for the citizen affected by the war as well. She also wore a pin with the flag of Ukraine ever since it started and confirmed she'll continue to do so until it stops. It's something she feels the need to do and now she spoke further on it:

"To be honest, this is a complicated situation and I don't really want to make such a decision myself, because I know that there are many wise people, even in the WTA and ATP, who could, for example, declare themselves in advance and guide us in such a way that it does not affect the mood in the locker room or the personal relations between the players. On the one hand, I know that it is not their fault that their country started the war, but on the other hand, there is social responsibility."

Read also

"Shalom Israel. I am very happy to be back in Israel" - Djokovic posts message upon arrival in Israel

It's a very measured approach but it doesn't really offer a great solution because there really isn't one. She was also asked about her plans following her tennis career and surprisingly she has a strong vision for that part of her life:

"I have a vision and an idea, but for that to turn into a plan, I have to gather some life experience and just get closer to that moment, and I'm going to play for a few more years. I would like to build an academy in Poland and a place where young people would have more freedom to play tennis and not combine with the availability of courts, with extra-curricular facilities such as a gym or access to physiotherapists."

Read also

Guadalajara Open Akron Entry List with Badosa, Kontaveit, Pegula and more