Tennis

Former World No. 23 WTA Player Lesia Tsurenko Shares Troubling Update On Social Media

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wendioliveros
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wendioliveros Sports Editor

Wendi Oliveros is a diehard tennis fan that is known to set her clock at ridiculous hours to watch live action especially during the Australian Open. She is known for indulging in strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and has watched the US Open live several times.

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Published16 Apr 2025

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35-year-old Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko, a former World No. 23 player in February 2019, and a player with four career WTA titles since turning pro in 2007, issued a troubling update on social media.

Tsurenko has not played a WTA Tour match in 2025, and her update indicates that her absence is not injury-related.

What Lesia Tsurenko Said

Lesia Tsurenko did not provide specifics; however, she said that the WTA CEO committed an act of “moral abuse” against her.

Tsurenko sought protection and resolution within the WTA only to suffer more poor treatment.  She has suffered panic attacks and has dealt with fear, humiliation, withholding information, and her team has been harassed.

These deplorable conditions have damaged her physically, mentally, and emotionally.  She is disappointed and saddened that “the WTA Tour chose to protect a person in a leadership position.”

How Lesia Tsurenko Is Handling The Matter

Tsurenko indicates she is pursuing legal avenues and plans to “seek justice in court.”

What we do not know will be revealed if a lawsuit is forthcoming.  We do not know which WTA CEO she is referring to.  Steve Simon served as the WTA CEO from October 2015 through July 2024. Portia Archer assumed the role of WTA CEO on July 29, 2024. The specific incident or incidents of mental abuse are also unknown at this time.

Tsurenko, a 2018 US Open quarterfinalist, played in the 2024 US Open but did not advance past the first round.

First, Reilly Opelka and Now, Lesia Tsurenko

Bullying and coercion by the ATP Tour were reported by Reilly Opelka earlier this week because of his role in the ongoing PTPA lawsuit.

One of the arguments in the PTPA lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, and ITF indicates that tennis is broken, leading to a hostile work environment on the professional tours.

Assertions by Opelka and Tsurenko imply that the PTPA lawsuit has merit with this argument.