Barbora Krejcikova openly admitted that in her mind there are some Russian players contributing to the ongoing tensions on the WTA Tour.
Common sense is an interesting proposition as it implies that most people can agree on the vast majority of things. However humans, as emotional beings, don't necessarily all share the same common sense. It could be argued that it stops the moment emotions begin which only complicates an already complicated matter even further.
The War in Ukraine affects those close to it the most yet its echo is felt all around the world. Russians and Ukrainians face a similar dilemma only their base sentiment is different. For one side it's common sense but for the other side it's emotional and there are no winners here. It's hard to imagine how the situation will resolve or if it will ever.
More and more players have spoken about the palpable tension in the WTA locker room between Russian and Ukrainian players and Barbora Krejcikova added her name to the list. Speaking to Ukrainian media in Antalya, she admitted it's there:
Yes, I feel it. On both sides. But there are some Russians who create it. They don't speak publicly, but we see what they do in the locker room. Personally, I try to avoid them.
The words of Krejcikova are powerful yet they are unverifiable to those outside of the locker room. Nobody knows what really goes on in the locker room yet it's hard to imagine that Krejcikova would imply something that's false but it's an opinion and as all, it's biased.
No prominent WTA player publicly backed Russia with most adopting a pragmatic and peaceful attitude. Some like Swiatek were open in their support of the Ukrainian side with Petra Kvitova adding her name to it. Her compatriot Krejcikova also cemented her support for Ukraine, revealing it's always been there, from the start.
I have been in contact with them since the beginning of the war. At the very beginning, I wrote to them to find out if everything was okay with them, if I could help in any way. I tried to support them. I know what is happening at home, I follow the news.
Similar to what Kvitova said, Krejcikova too feels like the prestige of the Olympics should not be tainted by the presence of countries who wage war or openly support it. It's not a new precedent either as countries were banned from the competition before and Krejcikova feels like it should happen again.
I think that the Olympics have always been a celebration of friendship and peace. And if the country is waging an aggressive war, then it clearly does not respect these ideals. Anyone who supports an attack on a neighboring country has no place at the Olympics.
For now, it seems like that won't happen despite threats of boycotting from other nations. Time will tell if it's the right decision but neither that nor anything else will bring back the 262 athletes that perished in the war up until now.
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