16-Year-Old Prodigy Andreeva Possibly Facing 'Sanctions' By WTA After Yastremska Complaints

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Mirra Andreeva recently played at the Lausanne Open, where she defeated Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska, who called for sanctions against the teenager.

The 16-year-old has been playing a spectacular season so far, making her way into the Top 100 on the WTA Tour after some Wimbledon heroics. She made a return to the courts in Lausanne, recently winning her first-round match against Yastremska comfortably.

She didn't win the next match as she was beaten easily by Bondar, but the Russian might be possibly facing some sanctions from the WTA after Dayana Yastremska asked the WTA to take action. It's an unprecedented move in many ways though not surprising considering how open Yastremska has been in her animosity towards Russian players.

It's expected, considering what is transpiring back in her home and considering that she fled her hometown of Odessa under artillery fire after hiding in shelters. It's all very real for her, while most of us far away from it can't really relate.

Elina Svitolina Supports Ukrainian Fencer Over Handshake Disqualification
Elina Svitolina Supports Ukrainian Fencer Over Handshake Disqualification

According to Yastremska, Andreeva apparently liked social media content that referenced the situation in Ukraine, which for Yastremska is a clear signal that the teenager is supporting the actions of Russia in Ukraine. The Ukranian posted that on her own social media, publicly letting everybody know that she asked the WTA to sanction Andreeva.

What happens with that remains to be seen but it's highly unlikely that the Tour will formally sanction Andreeva even if the allegations are true which was confirmed by Yastremska herself in the social media post. The Ukranian didn't provide any screenshots or any other proof of her allegations.

"I wanted to post about a recent situation in Switzerland which I find hardly acceptable. The tennis instances are unfortunately remaining indifferent to the atrocities committed in Ukraine. Recently, asked that sanctions be taken against Mirra Andreeva for having liked social media posts which clearly concerned the atrocities committed to Ukrainians and the WTA simply indicated it would not intervene."

Yastremska on Instagram

"l am upset but remain committed to fight for my country, my family and my friends in Ukraine. I would like to give special thanks to Switzerland and tournament organizers for their warm reception."

Only a few hours after the incident, news about the Czech Republic not allowing Russian and Belarusian players at the 2023 Prague Open broke out, something that only added to the already tense situation on the WTA Tour.

Russian & Belarusian Players Banned From Competing At Prague Open
Russian & Belarusian Players Banned From Competing At Prague Open

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