NEW YORK: Sexual abuse of young female players by older male coaches is a “right and left” on the WTA Tour and protection should be a priority against, Victoria Azarenka Said at the US Open on Saturday.
According to AFP, Azarenka’s comments come after French player Fiona Ferro’s former coach Pierre Buterre was accused of raping and sexually assaulting her in France on Thursday when she was a teenager between 2012 and 2015.
Boutre’s lawyer told AFP that a relationship had taken place but denied any coercion. The lawyer said Butere, 50, described the relationship as “a true love story”.
Azarenka, who sits on the eight-member WTA player council, said combating abuse was the group’s top priority.
“We see vulnerable young women who (are) being taken advantage of in different situations,” she said.
“It’s really sad and really makes me emotional,” she said. “If I had a daughter, I would have one question, would she want to play? TennisIt would be a huge concern for me like this.”
Former number one Azarenka, who reached the fourth round of the tournament on Saturday, praised Ferro’s bravery.
The 25-year-old Ferro won two WTA titles and moved up to world number 39 last year, but is currently ranked 259 and lost last week during a tournament qualifier.
“I hope she comes out of this situation stronger and tennis won’t be ruined for her,” Azarenka said.
He urged the journalists to do their part to expose the misbehavior at the press conference. “Do the research, help people open up more. Hopefully try to eliminate those types of situations one by one.”
Czech Karolina Pliskova, another former world number one, was unsure whether the women’s tennis body could be of much help, saying she felt it was the responsibility of parents to ensure that players were not abused.
21-year-old Inga Swietake, current world number one, said she had never faced such a situation and was keeping faith in the WTA.
“I hope that if something like this happens, we are going to be safe and trust the WTA that they are going to take care of this stuff properly,” said the two-time French Open champion. “I’m sure they do.”
According to AFP, Azarenka’s comments come after French player Fiona Ferro’s former coach Pierre Buterre was accused of raping and sexually assaulting her in France on Thursday when she was a teenager between 2012 and 2015.
Boutre’s lawyer told AFP that a relationship had taken place but denied any coercion. The lawyer said Butere, 50, described the relationship as “a true love story”.
Azarenka, who sits on the eight-member WTA player council, said combating abuse was the group’s top priority.
“We see vulnerable young women who (are) being taken advantage of in different situations,” she said.
“It’s really sad and really makes me emotional,” she said. “If I had a daughter, I would have one question, would she want to play? TennisIt would be a huge concern for me like this.”
Former number one Azarenka, who reached the fourth round of the tournament on Saturday, praised Ferro’s bravery.
The 25-year-old Ferro won two WTA titles and moved up to world number 39 last year, but is currently ranked 259 and lost last week during a tournament qualifier.
“I hope she comes out of this situation stronger and tennis won’t be ruined for her,” Azarenka said.
He urged the journalists to do their part to expose the misbehavior at the press conference. “Do the research, help people open up more. Hopefully try to eliminate those types of situations one by one.”
Czech Karolina Pliskova, another former world number one, was unsure whether the women’s tennis body could be of much help, saying she felt it was the responsibility of parents to ensure that players were not abused.
21-year-old Inga Swietake, current world number one, said she had never faced such a situation and was keeping faith in the WTA.
“I hope that if something like this happens, we are going to be safe and trust the WTA that they are going to take care of this stuff properly,” said the two-time French Open champion. “I’m sure they do.”