Lesia Tsurenko has criticized what she describes as Andrey Rublev’s lack of interest in the current war between Russia and Ukraine following his response to the Wimbledon ban.
On Wednesday The All England Tennis Club confirmed that they will become the first Grand Slam to ban Russian and Belarussian players in response to the devastating war in Ukraine which has claimed the lives of at least 2,345 people, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The move has split opinion in tennis with some arguing the sport and politics should be kept separate. Both the WTA and ATP have already spoken out against Wimbledon, as well as the British LTA who are also taking similar measures.
Rublev is one of those players who are banned from the grass court major. Speaking to reporters at the Serbian Open, Rublev said he has ‘no education’ about the current situation in Ukraine and is not watching the news. Although he believes the ban is ‘complete discrimination.’
“The reasons they (Wimbledon) gave us had no sense, they were illogical,” said Rublev.
“What is happening now is complete discrimination against us.”
The remarks of the men’s world No.8 have sparked an angry response from Tsurenko who decided to call him out on social media by posting a screenshot of a CNN article concerning his comments. Tsurenko is from Kyiv and last month revealed that she has been suffering from headaches and panic attacks as a result of the conflict. Like many other Ukrainian players, she is currently travelling on the Tour unsure about when she will be able to return home again.
“That man (Rublev) is not interested in what is happening in his own country. At all. He also is not interested in what is happening in the neighbouring country. Impressive.” Tsurenko wrote.
“What an abyss between our states and people, that I have not noticed for so long! I so regret it. I was blind.”
One Twitter user commented on the post by saying he was ‘shocked’ that Rublev didn’t know much about the conflict. Which then prompted Tsurenko to further comment `- ”to understand what’s actually happening you just need to have eyes and ears.”
Rublev has previously called for there to be no war. The day after Russian launched its attack on Ukraine, he wrote ‘no war please’ on the camera lens following one of his matches at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Something other players have also done. However, none of them have ever directly spoken out against their government.
Hitting back at the criticism of Rublev, Croatia’s Donna Vekic points out that he has previously offered to donate his prize money to those affected by the war if he was allowed to play at Wimbledon.
Rublev has so far not publicly commented on Tsurenko’s remarks.
