Dayana Yastremska's post on Mirra Andreeva
Here’s everything you need to know about the ongoing beef between Dayana Yastremska and Mirra Andreeva
Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska had her request to sanction Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva by the WTA denied amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Yastremska expressed her disappointment with the Women’s Tennis Association’s decision not to intervene, as they rejected her demands for sanctions against Andreeva.
In a statement released on Thursday, Yastremska mentioned feeling upset by the WTA’s refusal to take action, as she accused Andreeva of allegedly ‘liking’ social media posts related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Yastremska suffered a significant defeat of 6-0, 6-2 at the Ladies Open tournament in Lausanne, Switzerland, against the Russian teenager Andreeva. Shortly after the match, Yastremska posted a statement on her Instagram page, revealing that she had submitted a request to sanction the 16-year-old dues to her social media activity. However, the WTA indicated that they would not intervene in the matter, leading to Yastremska’s disappointment with their decision.
Yastremska recently shared vivid descriptions of the missile and drone attacks that took place in her city of Odesa last week. Through a series of emotional Instagram Stories, she narrated how her sister Ivanka and her dog sought shelter in the bathroom during the terrifying barrage, as Russia carried out consecutive strikes on the city. Yastremska’s account also captured Ivanka’s fearful voice, reflecting the distress and panic caused by the thunderous explosions and intense drone noises.
Many Ukrainian players, including Yastremska, have been vocal about their opposition to the war and have expressed concerns about Russian players continuing to participate in tennis events. For instance, Elina Svitolina, the Wimbledon 2023 semi-finalist, refused to shake hands with Belarusian player Victoria Azarenka, and she intends to maintain this stance.
The WTA has supported Svitolina’s decision, stating that handshakes are a personal choice. Additionally, Lesia Tsurenko has shared her struggles in facing Russian opponents, finding it emotionally challenging to compete against them given the ongoing tensions.
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