Daria Kasatkina stated she is grateful that Russian tennis gamers are nonetheless in a position to compete in worldwide tournaments whereas different sports activities have banned them because of the struggle in Ukraine.
Tennis, in contrast to many different sports activities, didn’t introduce a blanket ban on gamers from Russia and its ally Belarus after the invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.
Some sports activities have not too long ago begun to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes following suggestions issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) final month.
Wimbledon banned gamers from the 2 international locations final yr however stated in March it will settle for them as impartial athletes.
“I was really sad to miss Wimbledon last year – of course for a reason, but it still was painful,” Kasatkina instructed reporters after beating Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko on the Madrid Open.
“I’m happy that we will be able to come back this year and to be honest we are (in) the luckiest sport as we are able to compete still.”
Kasatkina, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2018, added: “95% of the athletes from Russia could not go outside and compete in the international events, and we really appreciate this opportunity and that we can be on the international stage”.
Tsurenko, who final yr stated she didn’t wish to play Russians or Belarusians on the Tour, didn’t shake palms with Kasatkina after the third-round match in Madrid.
“The saddest part is the war is still going on, so of course the players from Ukraine have got a lot of reasons to not shake our hands,” Kasatkina stated.
“I accept it, and it is how it is. It’s a very sad situation.”
Kasatkina subsequent faces compatriot Veronika Kudermetova afterward Monday.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com