U.S. Judge Dismisses Tsurenko's Lawsuit Against WTA Over Emotional Distress Claims

A U.S. District Judge, Naomi Reice Buchwald, dismissed a lawsuit filed by Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko against the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and its former chief executive, Steve Simon. Tsurenko alleged that the WTA inflicted mental abuse through its handling of Russian and Belarusian players following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The lawsuit claimed that the WTA failed to uphold Simon's promise to ban players who supported the war and did not prohibit conduct detrimental to the integrity of the sport.

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Tsurenko, a former top-25 player, cited specific incidents, including a Russian player wearing a patch for a sanctioned Russian oil company, and claimed that Simon had indicated it was acceptable for others to support the conflict. She reported experiencing a "panic attack" that led her to withdraw from a match against Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 BNP Paribas tournament in Indian Wells, California. Tsurenko sought damages for breach of contract, negligence, and emotional distress.

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In her ruling, Judge Buchwald stated that the WTA was best positioned to determine what constituted detrimental conduct and emphasized that Tsurenko did not demonstrate that the organization had a duty to ban players or ensure emotional safety. She noted, "When courts have found that sports associations owe a duty to their players, those duties relate to ensuring players’ physical safety, not their emotional wellbeing." The judge acknowledged that the WTA had taken "reasoned decision making" steps, such as banning players from competing under the flags of Russia and Belarus.

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The WTA defended its actions by asserting that it had consistently condemned Russia's actions and taken significant measures to support Ukrainian players. The organization argued that individual athletes should not be penalized for the actions of their countries' governments, a stance shared by many sports leagues.

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Despite the court's ruling, Tsurenko has been vocal about the emotional and psychological challenges she faces while competing on the professional tour since the invasion began. Her experiences highlight the broader impact of geopolitical conflicts on athletes, particularly those from affected nations.

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Following the dismissal of her lawsuit, it remains to be seen how Tsurenko will continue to address the challenges she faces in her career and whether she will pursue further legal action or advocacy related to the treatment of athletes from war-affected countries.

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• "When courts have found that sports associations owe a duty to their players, those duties relate to ensuring players’ physical safety, not their emotional wellbeing." — Naomi Reice Buchwald, U.S. District Judge

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• "Individual athletes should not be punished because of the actions of their countries' governments." — WTA Defense Statement

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