“The WTA chose to protect a person in a leadership role” – Lesia Tsurenko speaks out after 'traumatic' experience on Tour

Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko has shared a powerful and emotional statement on social media, revealing a distressing experience of moral abuse during her time on the WTA Tour. The 35-year-old, currently ranked World No. 234, had already made direct allegations against the then-CEO of the WTA, Steve Simon.

The situation dates back to Indian Wells 2023, where Tsurenko - a former world No. 21 - was scheduled to face Aryna Sabalenka in the third round. However, she withdrew shortly before taking the court after suffering a panic attack. According to Tsurenko, the episode was triggered by a disturbing conversation with Steve Simon.

At the time, Big Tennis Ukraine reported that Tsurenko had said: “I was absolutely shocked by what I heard. He told me that he himself does not support the war, but if the players from Russia and Belarus support it, then this is only their own opinion and the opinion of other people should not upset me.”

Now, over a year later, Tsurenko has reignited the controversy, highlighting the WTA’s lack of response to her situation and accusing the organisation of "indifference and injustice." Since August 2024, the role of CEO has been taken over by Poti Archer, while Simon remains listed as WTA Chairman on the official website.

In her statement, Tsurenko wrote: “It’s time to tell the truth. Since childhood, I dreamed of a career as a professional tennis player. I went through countless trials and obstacles on the path to my dream. I poured all my strength, my soul, my entire self into it. Being a professional athlete is tough work, and I think all the players would agree with me. It’s a job where you have to give 100 percent every single day.”

“Even in my worst nightmares, I couldn’t imagine that the professional tour, which I considered my home, would become a terrifying and alien place, where the CEO of the organisation consciously committed an act of moral abuse against me, leading to a panic attack and my inability to do my job.”

“I spoke about it openly and directly. 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. 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.”

“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. And this is the path I’ve been taking since the end of last year.”

“I pray to God that no one will ever experience what I’m going through and that everyone is held accountable for their actions.”

The WTA has not yet issued a public statement in response to Tsurenko’s latest claims.