Tennis
Panic attack. Why didn’t Tsurenko play with Sobolenko at Indian Wells?
Ukrainian tennis player on Monday, March 13 Lesya Tsurenko did not play against the second racket of the world Arina Sobolenko from Belarus.
The official reason is for personal reasons. But the 33-year-old Ukrainian soon commented on his decision in more detail:
“The reason for the refusal was a panic attack. Officially, “personal reasons” will be written, but in fact, these are breathing problems and hysteria.
I had a talk with Steve Simon, our CEO of WTA, a few days ago, and I was absolutely shocked by what I heard. He told me that he himself does not support the war, but if players from Russia and Belarus do, then it is just their own opinion and other people’s opinions should not upset me. He also noted that if this had happened to him and he had been in my place, he would have felt very bad.
He also expressed his confidence that the Russians and Belarus will return to the Olympics, saying that it will be just like in tennis now. He also said that “fair play” and Olympic principles were not violated, but rather the opposite. It is they who will perform at the Olympics will show that these principles work, that everyone is equal and that everyone has the opportunity to compete there. When asked if he understood that he said this to me during the active phase of the Russian military offensive in my country, he said yes, and that is his opinion.
I was absolutely shocked by this speech, and already in the last game (vs Donna Vekic – ed.) it was incredibly difficult to play, difficult to recover, and when it was time to go to the field today, I panicked. attack and I couldn’t get there. I hope I can digest all this information and be better prepared for the next tournament.
Our meeting with Steve Simon took place before the match with Donna Vekic. I had a few questions for him: for example, about the quality of the balls in Monterrey, where I couldn’t finish the tournament because of this, and many players complained of pain in their shoulders, hands and elbows. I also had a lot of questions about helping the Ukrainians and we went smoothly on sensitive topics and I heard all this from him. To be honest, I was under the impression that all this was mentally broken today.
For example, I asked the Ukrainians on the WTA tour if they would receive the same kind of assistance as they saw at the Australian Open, where the organizers provided each Ukrainian with as much additional accommodation and meals as needed upon request. I heard the answer to this question, “I’ll continue to monitor the situation”, meaning that it actually made it clear that there would be no help as there was no help all year.
Only the players of our group know about the conversation I had with Steve, with whom we are in constant communication, Elina. Also, everyone is in shock. We requested a conference call with the WTA Board to raise the question of how a man like Steve Simon can become a leader in the WTA and what we can do about it. How can we further understand that our organization is somehow protecting our rights? I don’t understand how in this world things like this have to be explained. It’s very surprising and very painful.”
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
All matches of the third round ended on January 24 Australian Open in the men’s singles draw.
Jannik Sinner, number two in the ATP world rankings and the current champion of the tournament, won a hard-fought victory against Eliot Spizziri in four sets, losing 0:1 in the matches. Yannick suffered cramps in the third set, but a break to cover the loft helped him get back into the game.
The Sinner’s next opponent will be his compatriot Luciano Darderi, who punished Karen Khachanov. Another Italian who will take part in the 1/8 final of the Aus Open will be Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated Tomas Machac. For the first time in the Open Era, three Italians will compete in the round of 16 in the men’s singles at a major in Melbourne.
The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua
Musetti will next compete against Taylor Fritz, who beat American Stan Wawrinka in four games. The Swiss player played his last match on the Australian Open courts; He will end his professional career in 2026.
Novak Djokovic defeated Botik van de Zandshulp to achieve his all-time record 400th Grand Slam victory. Next, Djokovic will face Czech Jakub Mensik, who defeated Ethan Quinn.
Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud will compete once again in the last 16 match. Shelton defeated Valentin Vachereau in three sets and Ruud knocked out Marin Cilic. Among tennis players born after 2002, only Carlos Alcaraz (87) has more Grand Slam singles victories than Shelton (35).
The day before, the Australian Open had hosted the 1/16 final matches in the upper ranks.
Australian Open 2026. 1/16 finals
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Lorenzo Musetti [5] – Tomas Machac – 5:7, 6:4, 6:2, 5:7, 6:2
Stan Wawrinka [WC] – Taylor Fritz [9] – 6:7 (5:7), 6:2, 4:6, 4:6
Yakub Menshik [16] – Ethan Quinn – 6:2, 7:6 (7:5), 7:6 (7:5)
Botik van de Zandshulp – Novak Djokovic [4] – 3:6, 4:6, 6:7 (4:7)
Ben Shelton [8] – Valentin Vachereau [30] – 6:4, 6:4, 7:6 (7:5)
Marin Cilic Casper Ruud [12] – 4:6, 4:6, 6:3, 5:7
Karen Khachanov [15] – Luciano Darderi [22] – 6:7 (5:7), 6:3, 3:6, 4:6
Eliot Spizziri – Jannik the Sinner [2] – 6:4, 3:6, 4:6, 4:6
Australian Open 2026. Round of 16 Pairings
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Carlos Alcaraz [1] – Tommy Paul [19]
Alexander Bublik [10] – Alex de Minaur [6]
Alexander Zverev [3] – Francisco Cherundolo [18]
Daniil Medvedev [11] – Lerner Tien [25]
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Lorenzo Musetti [5] – Taylor Fritz [9]
Yakub Menshik [16] – Novak Djokovic [4]
Ben Shelton [8] – Casper Ruud [12]
Luciano Darderi [22] – Jannik the Sinner [2]
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Tennis
Minus Osaka and Noskova. All pairings in the women’s 1/8 final of the Aus Open have been determined
All matches of the third round were completed on January 24 Australian Open 2026.
World number two Iga Swiatek beat Anna Kalinska and advanced to the second week of the Grand Slam tournament for the 21st time in her career.
Her next opponent will be Australian Maddison Inglis, who advanced to the grand tour without a fight after Naomi Osaka withdrew. Inglis became the first player from her country to reach the last 16 of the Aus Open women’s singles since Ashleigh Barty in 2022.
The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua
Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys beat former world number one Carolina Pliskova, who returned to the tour after two surgeries. Pliskova played in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2024 US Open. Keys became only the second active tennis player with more than 125 major wins, after Venus Williams (271).
In the fourth round of the Slam, Keys will play against world number six Jessica Pegula – she defeated American “neutral” Oksana Selekhmetyeva. For the first time in her career, Jessica reached the 1/8 finals in two consecutive Grand Slam tournaments without losing a single set.
Amanda Anisimova, the fourth racket in the world and one of the favorites of the cup, defeated Peyton Stearns without any problems. In the next round, Amanda will meet the Chinese representative Wang Xinyu, who sensationally knocked out the 13th ranked Linda Noskova. Wang Xinyu reached the fourth round of the slam for only the third time in his career.
In another match of the 1/8 final of the lower part of the group, Elena Rybakina and Elise Mertens will meet. Rybakina defeated Teresa Valenta and Mertens decided against Nikola Bartunkova. Elena and Elise deprived the Czech fans of the derby.
The day before, the Aus Open hosted the 1/16 final match at the top of the group, which in particular was furthered by Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
Australian Open 2026. 1/16 final
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Jessica Pegula [6] – 🏳️ Oksana Selekhmetyeva – 6:3, 6:2
Carolina Pliskova – Madison Keys [9] – 3:6, 3:6
Linda Noskova [13] – Wang Xinyu – 5:7, 4:6
Peyton Stearns- Amanda Anisimova [4] – 1:6, 4:6
Elena Rybakina [5] – Teresa Valentova – 6:2, 6:2
Elise Mertens [21] – Nikola Bartunkova [Q] – 6:0, 6:4
Naomi Osaka [16] – Maddison Inglis [Q] – WO., Inglis
🏳️Anna Kalinskaya [31] – Iga Swiatek [2] – 1:6, 6:1, 1:6
Australian Open 2026. 1/8 end pair
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Arina Sabalenko [1] – Victoria Mboko [17]
Yulia Putintseva – Iva Jovic [29]
Coco Gauff [3] – Carolina Muchova [19]
Elina Svitolina [12] – Mirra Andreeva [8]
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Jessica Pegula [6] – Madison Keys [9]
Wang Xinyu- Amanda Anisimova [4]
Elena Rybakina [5] – Elise Mertens [21]
Maddison Inglis [Q] – Iga Swiatek [2]
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
38-year-old legendary Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic (ATP 4), reached the 1/8 finals at the 2026 Australian Open.
Djokovic lost Botica van de Zandschulp (Netherlands, ATP 75) won his 400th Grand Slam victory in three sets.
Novak became the first tennis player in history to reach this level. Next are Roger Federer (369), Serena Williams (367), Rafael Nadal (314) and Martina Navratilova (306).
Djokovic will play in the fourth round of the Australian Open for the 18th time, breaking Roger Federer’s record, and will surpass Federere’s record of 69 for the 70th time in the slams.
Novak’s next opponent will be 16th ranked Jakub Mensik (Czech Republic, ATP 17).
Australian Open 2026. 1/16 final
Botik van de Zandshulp (Netherlands) – Novak Djokovic (Serbia) [4] – 3:6, 4:6, 6:7 (4:7)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-YFciAzSFO
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
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