Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko takes legal action against WTA over ‘moral abuse’

Tsurenko says she suffered a panic attack following a conversation with WTA leadership about its response to the Russia-Ukraine war

Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko said she has initiated legal action against the WTA alleging "moral abuse" from an unnamed executive of the elite women's tour which led to panic attacks and hampered her career.

Tsurenko, who has talked frequently about the challenges of competing on the tour since Russia's invasion, pulled out of a match in 2023 after saying she had a panic attack following a conversation with WTA leadership about its response to the war.

"I spoke about it openly and directly," Tsurenko wrote on social media platform X on Wednesday.

"I tried to seek protection and justice within the WTA. But in response, I faced indifference and injustice, which led to a prolonged moral decline."

Following her withdrawal from the Indian Wells match in 2023, the WTA responded to her comments by saying it had "consistently reflected our full support for Ukraine and strongly condemn the actions that have been brought forth by the Russian government".

Tsurenko, 35, wrote that the WTA Tour had become a "terrifying" and "alien" place for her now.

"Pain, fear, panic attacks, humiliation, withholding information, harassment of my team to silence me ... and this isn't even the full list of what I've had to endure," she said.

"The WTA Tour refused to protect a woman, a player, a human being. Instead, the WTA Tour chose to protect a person in a leadership position.

"My last chance to defend myself, to stand up for my rights, my dignity, and to prevent such acts of violence in sports is to seek justice in court."

The WTA said it sympathised with Tsurenko and other players from her country but was disappointed she had decided to engage in litigation to hold the WTA responsible for her distress.

"At all times, the WTA and its management acted appropriately and in accordance with our rules," it added.

"We are confident that we will prevail in this litigation."