Russian tennis player Vitalia Diatchenko has revealed that she was recently barred from boarding a flight that she had a valid ticket for because of her nationality.
Diatchenko was travelling to Corsica from Cairo, via Warsaw, to play an ITF Challenger event. The World No. 71 was told she could not travel, with the airline allegedly citing concerns over her Russian nationality as the barrier for entry, which isn't the case anymore for this year's Wimbledon.
It is yet another example of how tensions surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine continue to ripple around the globe, with no simple solution to such tensions easily attainable. Diatchenko's case appears to be an outlier, though, with few publicly arguing the player should not have been allowed to fly.
I was refused to fly to a tournament in Corsica by Lott airlines, from Cairo – Warsaw – Nice, because I am the owner of Russian passport. Airlines rules – suddenly do not allow any Russian to fly with Lott airlines! Does it really help to improve situation for the peace?
As Diatchenko explained in her social media post, she had all the required documents of support from both the WTA and the ITF stating she had entry to tournament in Corsica. Diatchenko also had a statement of support from her Ukrainian-born father, who also works for the United Nations.
I had all the support letters from WTA, ITF but in modern tennis this doesn’t seem to make any difference in reality. I had support letters from my father, who is originally born in Ukraine and working for United Nations. This letter stating that I am his daughter (airline policy allows family members of people who have diplomatic passport to fly).
It should be noted that there has not yet been any official response from the airline in question.
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