Russian tennis stars Anastasia Potapova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova have both issued emotional pleas over the current situation surrounding the invasion of Ukraine.
It comes as the International Olympic Committee insists that competitors from Russia and Belarus are only identified as “neutral athletes.”
Pavlyuchenkova, the world No.14 who the made the final at Roland Garros last year, condemned the actions of Vladimir Putin in invading Ukraine.
READ MORE: Ukrainian tennis star Svitolina says she won’t face Russian
READ MORE: Mark Taylor laughs away Shane Warne’s head-spinning claim
READ MORE: Ashton Agar the subject of a death threat on eve of Pakistan series
“I have represented Russia all my life,” she wrote on social media.
“This is my home and my country. But now I am in complete fear, as are my friends and family. But I am not afraid to clearly state my position. I am against war and violence.
“Personal ambitions and political motives cannot justify violence. This takes away the future not only from us, but also from our children.
“I am confused and do not know how to help in this situation.”
The 30-year-old said she’ll continue to voice her opposition to the attacks on Ukraine.
“I’m just an athlete who plays tennis. I am not a politician, not a public figure. I have no experience in this,” she wrote.
“I can only publicly disagree with these decisions taken and openly talk about it.
“Stop the violence, stop the war.”
https://twitter.com/NastiaPav/status/1498269581445632007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Meanwhile, Potapova finds herself at the centre of controversy after top seed Elina Svitolina said she’d refuse to play her first round match against the Russian at the Monterrey Open.
Svitolina wants tennis’ governing bodies to follow the example of the IOC and insist Russian and Belarusian players are referred to as “neutral athletes.”
The Ukrainian, a semi-finalist at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2019, posted on social media that her stand wasn’t directly aimed at the players, rather the country they represent.
“I do not blame any of the Russian athletes,” Svitolina wrote. “They are not responsible for the invasion of our motherland.”
Potapova’s reply, also on social media, noted that the players are innocent victims in the drama.
“Even when I was a kid, I dreamed of playing tennis without choosing a match, a country or a partner in the game,” she wrote.
“It is difficult to explain to people from politics that for me there is no opponent from any country, I am fighting for victory, my best game, for my result.
“Unfortunately, now we, professional athletes, are essentially becoming hostages of the current situation.
“Playing tennis is our choice and our dream, to which we go daily, practicing, and constantly trying to be better in our results,” she added.
https://twitter.com/nastiaapotapova/status/1498443106013917190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“I’m sorry, but even though I am a stranger to politics, I am against grief, tears and war.
“The peace unites the world, and everyone should remain human in it.
“And children should continue to dream.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!