Tennis boss into bat for Ukrainians

Tiley speaks out on player support

TENNIS Australia boss Craig Tiley will rally international tennis bodies to do more for Ukrainian players.

Speaking in the wake of this week’s pro-Russian demonstration furore that engulfed the Australian Open, Tiley said more could be done to support players and their teams who are unable to return to their war-torn homes.

Tiley said the Australian Open had footed the bill for Ukrainian players and their teams at this grand slam, but conceded tennis had to step up after a meeting with one coach – in the wake of a Russian flag being displayed at a Ukrainian player’s match in the opening round – who hit the tournament director with the reality that comes with being on the tour.

“We covered the expenses of all the Ukrainian teams while they were here … I think the sport should look at that right throughout the year,” Tiley said.

“I think every tournament should look at it.

“I met with one of the Ukrainian coaches and it was a very emotional meeting. This was in the first week, after the Russian flag incident.

“He was telling me stories about (how) everyone else can go home. And he can’t. His player can’t, their family can’t. They’ve got no home to go to.

“So they go to the next tournament next week.

“And that for that week is their home.”

The Australian Open boss said there was no way of understanding what they endure “until it’s happening to you”.

“It was a good moment for me personally, because it made me question, ‘are we doing enough?’.

“I haven’t spoken with the other leaders in tennis, but I will be having a conversation about exploring how we do even more for the Ukrainian players.

“Maybe there’s a situation where every tournament every week completely funds it – I don’t know what it is. Something, but more, because it doesn’t look like this is going to stop any time soon, and they have a tough go.”

Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan, was this week accused of showing support to proPutin demonstrators that had gathered at Melbourne Park.

Tennis Australia’s stance in the wake of the incident was criticised, including by Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, who Tiley spoke with this week.

But the tournament chief stood by his body’s response to the incident.

“We made our position clear on it, that we’re absolutely against war,” he said.