Due to recent events on the WTA tour,
Victoria Azarenka, a player on the Player's Council wants improved safeguarding.
WTA Player Council member Azarenka spoke about the recent news of
Fiona Ferro going public with her experience with sexual assault. While nothing has been proven as it's only an accusation as of now, it's not the first time something like comes out of the tennis world. It's more common on the WTA side as Azarenka described it as a sensitive subject:
"It's a very sensitive subject. You won't hear those stories unless players come out and tell those stories. It happens right and left on the tour, which is unfortunate.
She continued:
"Our
job is to be better at safeguarding. As a player council, it's almost
like the number one subject to us. Because we see those vulnerable young
ladies getting taken advantage of in different situations. It's
really sad and really makes me emotional. If I had a daughter, I would
have a question would she want to play tennis, that would be a very big
concern in that way for me."
Touching on the subject of Ferro, Azarenka added:
"Just the recent story with Fiona Ferro that came out. I don't know how to put it in words sometimes. All you can do is check in on the person and give your hand, 'What I can do? What I can help with?' I
applaud her for being brave. I hope this situation, she's going to come
out of it stronger and tennis is not ruined for her because of that.
That's, I think, a very, very heavy topic. But it's the topic that has
to come out more."