Perhaps the most notable thing about Anna Kalinskaya’s first round match in Indian Wells wasn’t her tennis but what was written on her trainers.
The Russian qualifier took to the court to play Harmony Tan, who she beat 6-2, 1-0, after the Frenchwoman was forced to retire. During her match the camera zoomed in on her footwear which had the phrase ‘no war’ in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One of the biggest military conflicts to take place in Europe since the conclusion of World War Two which has also had implications on tennis.
Indian Wells is the first major tennis event taking place under new rules implemented by the governing bodies in reaction to Russia’s military operations. Russian and Belarussian players have been banned from playing under their flag and must instead compete as neutral athletes. Belarus has also been penalized due to their involvement in the conflict and support of Russia. As a result the highest ranked player in both the men’s and women’s draws are neutral athletes.
“My message is always the same – I want peace in all of the world,” world No.1 Daniil Medvedev told reports during media day on Wednesday.
“I think every tennis player is going to say the same.”
According to the United Nations, they have verified that at least 474 civilians has been killed in Ukraine and a further 861 have been injured since the conflict began on February 24th. However, officials warn this number is likely to be much higher. The tally doesn’t take into account military deaths which have already been confirmed by both Russia and Ukraine to be in the hundreds.
“I feel really sad and really bad about the Ukrainian citizens who lost their homes during the war,” said women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
“I’m really worried about it but unfortunately it is not under my control. I just hope for peace.”
Sabalenka will be among a contingent of players who say they will be showing their support to Ukraine by wearing a ribbon during their matches. The ribbons have been issued as part of the Tennis Plays For Peace initiative. A campaign set out to support the humanitarian relief efforts for the war in Ukraine. The seven governing bodies of the sport have already made a joint donation of $700,000 and a separate ongoing fundraiser has raised £5,050 so far.
“I am against this war and the suffering of innocent people. I want to show, even if symbolically, my solidarity with Ukraine, so I’m going to play my matches in Indian Wells with a small ribbon in the colors of the Ukrainian flag,” former French Open champion Iga Swiatek wrote on social media.
“If other players feel able to support Ukraine with this symbolic gesture, we prepared more of these ribbons and can give you some.”
Dayana Yastremska knows all too well what the situation is like in her native Ukraine after experiencing it first hand. When Russia launched their attack on February 24th she was with her family in Odessa and was woken up that day by the sound of explosions. She spent two days sheltering in an underground car park before fleeing her country.
Yastremska, who remarkably reached the final in Lyon last week despite the ordeal, received a wild card to play Indian Wells. In her first round match on Wednesday she narrowly lost 6-4, 6-7(8), 7-5, to France’s Caroline Garcia.
“It’s tough because what is going on now in Ukraine is really embarrassing,” Yastremska was quoted as saying by USA Today. “My parents are at home and my closest people are there. It was very, very hard to leave and even play in Lyon. You still have a lot of doubts about it. You still think a lot about it.”
More than two million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the war, according to U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
