Tennis
TSURENKO: “I am very disappointed with what WTA has done. The association does not protect me”
Ukrainian tennis player Lesya Tsurenko In an interview with the French edition of L’Equipe, she shared new details of the scandalous conversation with the head of the WTA and spoke about the lack of support from the Women’s Tennis Association:
“The thing that bothers me the most is that Russian and Belarusian players believe that they can support the invasion of my country and not be subject to sanctions. According to him, that’s just their opinion and that shouldn’t offend me. But of course it hurts. And not just a little! It is difficult to understand how he found the invasion of a country or the genocide of a nation acceptable. All this is very painful and terrible for me. This means we can be surrounded by people who support this war.
Do I feel disappointed in WTA? Yes, I feel abandoned by the WTA, I don’t think my association is protecting me. Talking to Steve, I realized that this was their position, or his position from the very beginning of the conflict. Therefore, little has been done for the Ukrainian players, who were very impressed by the conversation I relayed to them. They supported me a lot. It’s getting clearer for everyone.
All WTA does is donate ribbons in the colors of Ukraine so that each player can show their support for the Ukrainian people. I asked Steve what else the WTA plans to do because the Australian Open provided us with shelter, food and training facilities for as long as we needed it after the incident with the Russian flag. I don’t know why WTA is so shy. I hope we have a conference call with the board and we can discuss this situation.”
It is known that WTA acted as a verbal warning to Anastasia Potapova, who entered the court at Indian Wells wearing a Moscow Spartak T-shirt. Iga Sventek, the world’s first racket, also expressed his criticism.
Lesya Tsurenko: “First of all I want to say that Iga is an amazing actress and girl. I am truly grateful to him for everything he has done for Ukraine, for all the support he has shown.
I think it was very strange to see a player entering the field with the logo of a suspended company. People, especially Russians and Belarusians, must understand what they are doing, what they are showing to the whole world. As for me, this is a sign that a person does not understand all the horrors of war.
Lesya Tsurenko also adds that Steve Simon’s statement that the admission of Russians and Belarusians to the Olympic Games will demonstrate adherence to Olympic principles, and that this is another reason why sports officials use tennis for their own purposes to justify their presence in Paris. alarms:
“I am very afraid that our names will be used negatively in the future. Why do I think so? Because the PRC president used the name of Katerina Beindl, who played against the Russians at the Australian Open, to mean: Look, the Ukrainians are playing against the Russians or the Belarusians. After hearing from Steve Simon, who supported the performance of these countries at the Olympics, I was sure he would use the situation to say: Look, here’s a prime time game between Tsurenko and Sobolenko in midfield and it’s all right. I realized that my good name would be used to encourage tennis players, and Russian and Belarusian athletes in general, to compete in the Olympics. This got me very excited.
In the 21st century, Russia and Belarus have decided that they can invade another country. The whole world made a great effort with sanctions and great support. Athletes and many companies have left these countries. We cannot allow them to do this with impunity. This is not normal. Everyone should be aware of this. Public figures, including athletes, should set an example and express their opinions. So, in the context of this war, the decision to bring them back to the Olympics is an important step back after a year where many people died, many terrible things happened in my country, cities were destroyed. I have a friend in captivity, both at the front. They often found themselves in very dangerous situations. Fortunately they survived. They are like my family… Unfortunately, this applies to all Ukrainians. So sad.”
WTA head Steve Simon said in an interview with BBC Sports that the women’s association is doing everything possible for Ukrainian players.
At the same time, Simon still does not comment on meeting with Lesya Tsurenko.
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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