Russian tennis CEO defends Anastasia Potapova from harsh criticism
Shamil Tarpischev, CEO of the Russian Tennis UnionHe wanted to react to the WTA and defend Iga Swiatek Anastasia Potapovaafter what happened at BNP Paribas open. He said: “Anastasia Potapova wore neither a flag nor a coat of arms, but a jersey of the football team.
I’ve never heard anyone say that a player can’t wear a team’s jersey
.” Tarpischev made some unkind remarks again last year when Elena Rybakina won Wimbledon. The President of the Russian Tennis Union did not hesitate to repeat: “It’s great!
Well done Elena! We won the Wimbledon tournament. Rybakina is a product of Russian tennis.” The connection to the birthplace of the Kazakh naturalized player was clear. Rybakina, who was born in Moscow, has only represented Kazakhstan since 2018.
The Kazakh Tennis Federation has always tried to attract talent that Russia does not judge to its side.
The controversy over the gesture of Anastasia Potapova
The controversy surrounding Anastasia Potapova’s gesture in Indian Wells continues.
The 21-year-old from Saratov wore the shirt of the Spartak Moscow football team before confronting Jessica Pegula in Indian Wells Center Court. A behavior that provoked the harsh reaction of Lesia Tsurenko and was ruled unacceptable by the WTA.
Next to Tsurenko number one in the world Iga Swiatek also commented on the subject. The Pole has always expressed her solidarity with the Ukrainian people, stating: “I am very surprised when I see, for example, Russian girls wearing the shirts of their country’s football teams.
I don’t think it’s good for someone to show that kind of feeling, no matter how much they’re a fan of this team, and I hope they recognized that. I spoke to WTA officials about it and they told me that these situations will not happen again, which relieved me enough.”
