Lesia Tsurenko Speaks Out: “It’s Time to Tell the Truth”

For Ukrainian tennis veteran Lesia Tsurenko, the past few years have been marked by far more than just on-court battles. Amid the ongoing war in her homeland following Russia’s invasion, Tsurenko has also found herself at odds with the sport’s governing body — the WTA.

In a powerful letter shared via social media, Tsurenko announced that she has initiated legal proceedings against the WTA. At the center of the lawsuit is an accusation of “moral abuse” against an unnamed CEO. While the letter stops short of identifying the individual, many online have speculated that it refers to former WTA chief Steve Simon, who stepped down at the end of 2023.

“It’s time to tell the truth,” Tsurenko wrote, alluding to a private exchange she says took place during a volatile moment for the sport — when Russian and Belarusian players remained barred from competing at Wimbledon.

A Dream Derailed

In her post, Tsurenko shared how the alleged events left a deep emotional scar, turning what had been a lifelong dream into a painful ordeal:

“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% every single day.”

She recounted the impact of that experience, saying it triggered a panic attack and left her unable to compete.

“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 organization, consciously committed an act of moral abuse against me, leading me to a panic attack and my inability to do my job.”

The 34-year-old went on to describe what she called a pattern of neglect and intimidation, alleging that her attempts to seek support within the WTA were met with silence and disregard.

“I spoke about it openly and directly. I tried to seek protection and justice within the WTA. But in response, I found 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 refused to protect a woman, a player, a human being. Instead, the WTA Tour chose to protect a person in a leadership position.”

A Legal Battle Begins

Tsurenko wrapped up her message by confirming she began legal action in late 2023 — a decision, she says, driven by the need to stand up for herself and to call for accountability.

“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’m 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.”

While the statement offers few specifics, it appears the legal process is already in motion. If so, more details are likely to emerge in the near future — and could cast a long shadow over the WTA’s internal operations.

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