April 17, (THEWILL) – Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko has filed a lawsuit in the New York Southern District Court against the WTA Tour and its chairman Steve Simon.
The legal action alleges breach of contract, negligence, negligent supervision and retention, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Tsurenko claims that interactions regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with WTA executives led to insomnia, crying episodes, and performance issues.
The lawsuit references a March 2022 meeting where Simon allegedly promised Ukrainian players that Russian or Belarusian players showing public support for the war would face tournament bans.
Tsurenko contends this promise was not kept, citing examples such as Russian player Veronika Kudermetova wearing sponsorship from Taneft, a company later sanctioned by the European Union for supplying the Russian army.
A subsequent March 2023 meeting with Simon reportedly caused Tsurenko significant emotional distress.
The lawsuit states Simon told her: “It is OK to support the war. It is another person’s opinion and it should not hurt you.”
This interaction allegedly triggered a panic attack that led Tsurenko to withdraw from her match against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells 2023.
The WTA has responded with a motion to dismiss, describing Tsurenko’s claims as “legally defective.” In their statement, the organisation maintained they have “been steadfast and clear in its condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine” while upholding principles that “competitions are open to all women players who qualify based on their merit, and without discrimination.”
The WTA must confirm by April 30 whether they will proceed with the motion to dismiss.
Tennis has faced unique challenges navigating the Ukraine-Russia conflict due to its significant number of Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian players. Current policy allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete without national identification, while Ukrainian players typically do not shake hands with opponents from these nations after matches.
Tensions intensified following the February 2025 Oval Office meeting where President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding American support.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
