- Lawsuit alleges WTA failed to ban Russian/Belarusian players supporting Ukraine invasion
- Tsurenko claims panic attacks forced tournament withdrawals
- WTA maintains non-discrimination policy while condemning Russian aggression
Ukrainian tennis professional Lesia Tsurenko has escalated her legal battle against the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and former CEO Steve Simon, filing an amended complaint in New York federal court. The 34-year-old athlete, previously ranked 23rd globally, alleges the organization's handling of Russian and Belarusian players caused severe emotional distress that impacted her career performance.
The legal filing centers on what Tsurenko describes as broken promises from WTA leadership. During a 2022 meeting with Ukrainian players, executives reportedly committed to banning athletes who publicly supported Russia's military actions. However, the lawsuit claims this policy was never enforced, citing Russian player Veronika Kudermetova's participation in Roland-Garros while wearing a Taneft sponsor patch. The energy company's parent organization remains under EU sanctions for supplying Russia's military.
Psychological impacts form a critical component of the case. Court documents detail how Tsurenko withdrew from the 2023 Indian Wells tournament following a panic attack triggered by potential matches against Russian opponents. Medical evaluations reportedly linked these episodes to cumulative stress from facing players representing countries engaged in her homeland's conflict.
The WTA's safeguarding team conducted a 10-month investigation into Simon's conduct before concluding no policy violations occurred. This procedural outcome contrasts sharply with other sports organizations: FIFA and UEFA immediately banned Russian teams from international competitions following the invasion, while the IOC created neutral athlete classifications.
Legal analysts highlight three precedent-setting aspects of this case: athlete mental health protections in professional sports contracts, governing bodies' liability for geopolitical positioning, and the enforceability of verbal commitments to players. The lawsuit arrives as tennis faces increased scrutiny over its handling of international conflicts, with Wimbledon lifting its Russian player ban in 2023 under government pressure.
With the WTA's motion to dismiss pending until April 30, this case could establish new standards for sports organizations balancing political neutrality with athlete welfare. The outcome may influence how global leagues address similar conflicts, from China's Uyghur policies to Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions affecting international competitions.