Repost? Kostyuk statement on Russian player sanctions
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AnOctorokForDinner
Talk Tennis Guru
The girl literally said 'Ukraine doesn't need money', so it's pretty clear she doesn't know what she's talking about.
Had a feeling that something like this was behind the Wimbledon ban.
The scenario being someone like Kostyuk draws one of the many Russian girls in the 3rd round or something, and refuses to play (this happened with Svitolina in Mexico)
or worse, Ukranians maybe saying they would boycott if Russians are allowed to play. Then Wimbledon is the center stage for something very bad indeed.
So to avoid one optical nightmare such as the above they choose the lesser optical nightmare of banning Russians in advance.
The scenario being someone like Kostyuk draws one of the many Russian girls in the 3rd round or something, and refuses to play (this happened with Svitolina in Mexico)
or worse, Ukranians maybe saying they would boycott if Russians are allowed to play. Then Wimbledon is the center stage for something very bad indeed.
So to avoid one optical nightmare such as the above they choose the lesser optical nightmare of banning Russians in advance.
octobrina10
Bionic Poster
UnderratedSlam
G.O.A.T.
I can't get too angry at Ukrainian players asking for a ban, because they are desperate and deeply frustrated. When you're extremely emotional you're not very rational.
It's all the "outsiders" demanding a ban that's very fishy, very smelly... putrid. The perennial lynch mob.
It's all the "outsiders" demanding a ban that's very fishy, very smelly... putrid. The perennial lynch mob.
norcal
Legend
Invading Ukraine or the ban?
marc45
G.O.A.T.
Kieron Vorster
@vossy1973
I hear the
@atptour
and
@WTA
are meeting in Madrid to discuss potentially taking away all ranking points from
@Wimbledon
championships this year so in essence turning it then into an exhibition event.
Dude, you are such a shame... Did you read what she said? You are truly horrible...
norcal
Legend
^^that is never happening.
The Fedfather
Legend
Marta is understandably emotional and speaking out is a good thing. However, this kind of story-telling in this situation doesn't sit right with me. Whoever didn't greet them, those were specific people, right? She refers to them as "the Russians" as though her and other Ukranian players met every Russian and Belarusian pro at IW, they were distant and didn't talk to them on a private level, meaning they all support the war. What are the chances it really is so?
And then her "We had a lot of friends among Russian tennis players." that a couple sentences later turns to "Our first thought - they really do support it all, don't they? This is at least what their behavior indicates. Knowing the Russians, the chance of it being true is very high." That's a weird way to think about your friends.
I know she despises Putin's regime and the war with all her heart, so do I, but from a couple of her statements she seems to have developed a grudge against players (maybe people in general) who come from Russia and Belarus. I've seen this quite a bit in recent months. I understand and accept that such emotional response is warranted with everything that Ukrainian people are going through, but hope it's not going to be endorced by the general public.
And then her "We had a lot of friends among Russian tennis players." that a couple sentences later turns to "Our first thought - they really do support it all, don't they? This is at least what their behavior indicates. Knowing the Russians, the chance of it being true is very high." That's a weird way to think about your friends.
I know she despises Putin's regime and the war with all her heart, so do I, but from a couple of her statements she seems to have developed a grudge against players (maybe people in general) who come from Russia and Belarus. I've seen this quite a bit in recent months. I understand and accept that such emotional response is warranted with everything that Ukrainian people are going through, but hope it's not going to be endorced by the general public.
TopspintheTerrible
Hall of Fame
She’s young. Basically a kid. Can’t expect too much nuance.
Look, it is terrible that Russia, with the aid of Belarus decided to use Belarus as a staging ground to invade and decimate Ukraine. It is terrible that Belarus informed Russia, they need water access like Russia claims they do, so that Moldavia will be next on the agenda for decinaction. Russia has broadcast that and said, while the Donbas was their concern, that means stealing all of Ukraine’s water space, including Odessa. Odesss, which happens to be on the opposite side of the country from Donbas.
I understand that it has to be difficult for Russian and Belarusian players in particular to act like neutral athletes with Ukrainian athletes, it can not be easy for any of the athletes. It’s hard to say, “Suck it up Buttercup”, as a player plays against an opponent, who’s country is waging war on another players home country.
Quite frankly, I was surprised after the male Russian Silver medalist to a Ukrainian Gold medalist in an event after the war started had the nerve to wear to the meet a “Z” on his jersey. Completely insulting.
I think the open letter could only be beneficial the Belarusian and Russian athletes, who are shown not to be supportive of the Ukrainians. I keep hearing folks wondering if “Russian and Belarusian” athletes will be pressured into saying supportive things of Putin to prevent family from getting punished?
Who doesn’t forget Medvedev’s odd presser after losing to Rafa at AU 2022. Medvedev wouldn’t take any questions on it, but mentioned not playing Wimbledon and playing in Russia instead…… How precient has that turned out to be of things to come?
I understand that it has to be difficult for Russian and Belarusian players in particular to act like neutral athletes with Ukrainian athletes, it can not be easy for any of the athletes. It’s hard to say, “Suck it up Buttercup”, as a player plays against an opponent, who’s country is waging war on another players home country.
Quite frankly, I was surprised after the male Russian Silver medalist to a Ukrainian Gold medalist in an event after the war started had the nerve to wear to the meet a “Z” on his jersey. Completely insulting.
I think the open letter could only be beneficial the Belarusian and Russian athletes, who are shown not to be supportive of the Ukrainians. I keep hearing folks wondering if “Russian and Belarusian” athletes will be pressured into saying supportive things of Putin to prevent family from getting punished?
Who doesn’t forget Medvedev’s odd presser after losing to Rafa at AU 2022. Medvedev wouldn’t take any questions on it, but mentioned not playing Wimbledon and playing in Russia instead…… How precient has that turned out to be of things to come?
octobrina10
Bionic Poster
Wimbledon condemns the genocide Russian war criminal Putin is committing against Ukrainians with the intent to end their and Ukraine's existence.
AO13
Hall of Fame
She's 19 years old, ya know.
I remember me when I was 19 years old. Just a kid really, don't care about anything, don't know nothing.
It's not that she's enduring the war in a shelter, she's traveling across the World, playing tennis.
On the other hand, I was hiding myself away from the bombs when I was 5 years old.
Condemning people of a country just because their politicians decided to invade my country is immature.
I remember me when I was 19 years old. Just a kid really, don't care about anything, don't know nothing.
It's not that she's enduring the war in a shelter, she's traveling across the World, playing tennis.
On the other hand, I was hiding myself away from the bombs when I was 5 years old.
Condemning people of a country just because their politicians decided to invade my country is immature.
Yes because they just banned them for fun not because of actual existing reason right?
Bartelby
Bionic Poster
If you look at the website where this statement comes from you'll find unsurprisingly that it is Ukrainian one.
Their first pinned comment is essentially a "what to say if asked about why the Wimbledon ban is justified" cheat sheet.
Both sides have a point of view and it's pretty easy to guess which side this site is on, but really we should just stick to the facts.
Their first pinned comment is essentially a "what to say if asked about why the Wimbledon ban is justified" cheat sheet.
Both sides have a point of view and it's pretty easy to guess which side this site is on, but really we should just stick to the facts.
Aabye5
G.O.A.T.
It sounds like the friends they had before the war are now giving them the "cold-shoulder".
NonP
Legend
It does seem that Kostyuk's is not an isolated experience for Ukrainian players. From Svitolina*:
*Though she now uses her married name on social media she seems to be holding off on the legal step till after retirement.
Her rationale against the boycott is interesting. I agree, but that's precisely the reason why the AEC is unlikely to reverse its decision.
One more thing:
Plus let's not forget English isn't her 1st language. Emotions are running high and you can't expect teenagers to be perfectly clear and eloquent even in normal circumstances.
*Though she now uses her married name on social media she seems to be holding off on the legal step till after retirement.
Her rationale against the boycott is interesting. I agree, but that's precisely the reason why the AEC is unlikely to reverse its decision.
One more thing:
Plus let's not forget English isn't her 1st language. Emotions are running high and you can't expect teenagers to be perfectly clear and eloquent even in normal circumstances.
The Fedfather
Legend
Yes, for sure. But it just seems to me that if you did consider someone a friend, or even simply were on good terms with someone, you'd maybe point out how you felt betrayed or couldn't believe they were acting like this. Her message was basically "We kinda knew the Russians were bad people all along." IMO, that's not something you say if you just recently had a lot of Russian friends.
I think the entire into in the statement was just meant to accentuate that the reaction they were met with was a major sign that many, if not all, Russian players (and Belarusians too, of course) support the war. The "knowing the Russians" comment on its own is pretty indicative of what her mindset is.
My opinion all along is no one should be getting upset at individual players reactions to this or individual tournaments. Whatever the reactions are whether you consider them logical or not logical are because of one man. Putin. And people can argue about Russian players and Ukraine players and Wimbledon and everything else. These are all reactions to a man who started the biggest war in Europe since ww2.
So I can’t get to annoyed at what she says or what Wimbledon does because this wouldn’t even be a conversation if Putin had not done this.
So I can’t get to annoyed at what she says or what Wimbledon does because this wouldn’t even be a conversation if Putin had not done this.
Aabye5
G.O.A.T.
She mentions they were shocked. If they just assumed Russians were bad people, they would not be surprised by the behavior.
Besides, if someone was your friend before and then something terrible happens to you, the least they could do is a kind word, even if privately.
Perhaps the Russians are afraid that someone will criticize them if they are too chummy with the Ukrainians or that the Ukrainians themselves will blame them for what happened. But perhaps some of them support the war, too. Giving a friend or an acquaintance the 'cold-shoulder' is cruel, especially given the situation.
Whether the Wimbledon policy is just is another matter entirely.
The Fedfather
Legend
I agree with everything you wrote, but Kostyuk's statement is still questionable for me. What I disagree with the most is her apparent grouping of the Russian players into one entity. Whether it's done intentionally or not, she is projecting a particular mindset on every player who happens to be Russian. Thats not right. And then it's used as the premise for action to be taken against Russian players. Again, isn't right.
Federev
G.O.A.T.
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AnOctorokForDinner
Talk Tennis Guru
Do you really think the Ukrainian players would accept the Russian players expressing sympathy? Ha. The mood is pretty clear. I imagine nothing short of complete public denunciation of the incumbent government and Putin personally will satisfy them, no matter the personal contest (who cares when people are dying, right). And then sky is the limit. Donate half of your 2022 prize money, renounce your Russian citizenship altogether, anything. I do not fancy that any of them are ever going to not feel hatred and contempt towards every individual Russian. Such is life. Some sowed, and we're all gonna reap.
Aabye5
G.O.A.T.
That's quite a leap you've made there. This is one person describing how they feel the locker room has changed. We should take it with a grain of salt, but we should not ignore it. Maybe some of the Russians are hostile.
But I know Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, for example, has been very outspoken about her friendship with Ukrainian players, and about about her opposition to the war.
Still, the Wimbledon decision is not the best way to handle the situation.
AnOctorokForDinner
Talk Tennis Guru
The players you can be friends with are not the players who make this sort of statements. I don't recall that Svitolina or Kostyuk were particularly friendly with any Russian players, and they sure as hell will not be now no matter what they do. Svitolina has always struck me as an arrogant type who's not really friends with anyone on the women's tour, anyway.
Beacon Hill
Hall of Fame
Is sanctioning Russian businesses also disgusting?
Aabye5
G.O.A.T.
Coming from a Fed fan, that's rich.
I could believe she's arrogant, but that does not mean Kostyuk's experience in the locker room is not true.
AnOctorokForDinner
Talk Tennis Guru
Federer has mellowed out considerably since his youthful peak days. Contrast. And at any rate being a multislam champ justifies a certain measure of arrogance, something you can't say for the slam choker that is Elina.
You can't take anyone's words for granted really. I'd be inclined to trust Pavlyuchenkova if she comments on this (I mean specifically Svitolina/Kostyuk/Tsurenko claims of cold shoulder if not hostility), given her commendable directness (more or less) opposing the operation invasion war, and generally reasonable worldly attitude.
Aabye5
G.O.A.T.
I agree, Pavlyuchenkova has been very honest about all of this and where she stands. But you can't just throw out Svitolina's or Kostyuk's opinions because you think they are "arrogant".
No comment on Fed mellowing out.
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