Victoria Azarenka has stated that exploitation of feminine gamers occurs “proper and left” in skilled tennis and that the game ought to make sure that safeguarding points are on the forefront of its issues.
“It’s a really delicate topic, since you gained’t hear these tales until gamers come out and inform these tales. It occurs proper and left on the tour, which is unlucky,” stated Azarenka in her post-match press convention after reaching the US Open fourth spherical on Sunday. “Our job is to be higher at safeguarding. As participant council, it’s nearly like No 1 topic, to us. As a result of we see these susceptible younger women that getting taken benefit of in numerous state of affairs.”
Azarenka, a two-time grand slam champion and former No 1, is the highest-profile member of the WTA participant council. She described how she has seen coaches who manipulate feminine gamers into dependence.
“Within the ladies’s sport, significantly, I see so many coaches that make their gamers depending on them, and I believe that’s very harmful. It’s very manipulative too. I want that type of topic was talked about a bit bit extra,” stated Azarenka.
Azarenka’s feedback are available gentle of the information earlier this week that Fiona Ferro, the French former No 39, has filed prices towards her former coach, Pierre Bouteyre, for rape and sexual assault between 2012 and 2015, when she was aged between 15 and 18. Bouteyre has admitted the connection however claims that their relationship was consensual. On Friday, Ferro launched an announcement on social media: “I verify that I used to be not consenting,” she wrote.
As she spoke about safeguarding points basically, Azarenka instantly addressed Ferro’s case: “[The] current story with Fiona Ferro that got here out. I don’t know the best way to put it in phrases typically. All you are able to do is test in on the individual and provides your hand what I can do, what I may also help with. So I applaud her for being courageous. I hope this case she’s gonna come out of it stronger and tennis isn't ruined for her due to that. That’s [a] very, very heavy matter,” she stated.
Azarenka, who has a 5 12 months outdated son, Leo, says that if she had a daughter, she could be involved about her enjoying on the tour given the problems she has seen. “It’s actually unhappy and actually makes me emotional, as a result of I've a son, that I don’t see that occurs a lot on the lads’s tour. And if I had a daughter, I might have a query would she wish to play tennis, that will be a really large concern in that manner for me,” she stated.
Azarenka says that she has mentioned the topic with different gamers, however inappropriate teaching behaviour is commonly not acknowledged till gamers cease profitable. “On the finish of the day, the issue right here is when someone is profitable, no one’s going to go and say, ‘Okay, that’s the factor [manipulative behaviour].’ When the profitable stops, it turns into darkish and there may be no one to carry your hand. That's the second the place it’s not talked about.”
On social media, 22-time doubles grand slam champion Pam Shriver implored the tennis governing our bodies to prioritise safeguarding and thanked Azarenka for her feedback. Earlier this 12 months, Shriver revealed “an inappropriate and damaging relationship” she had along with her former coach, Don Sweet.
“The extra gamers, present and retired, are keen to deal with abuse, the sooner the office will develop into safer. Thanks Vika,” wrote Shriver.
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