‘Unexploded bombs on our courts’: Tennis Centre of UTF destroyed
Only weeks ago, the Ukrainian Tennis Federation’s tennis centre was a hub of activity, now it is mere rubble and debris after being razed to the ground amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Situated in Irpin on the fringes of besieged capital city Kyiv, the seven courts which once hosted the cream of Ukrainian tennis, together with the entire infrastructure of the site, are sadly no more.
It is a complex which has staged ITF World Tennis Tour competitions, including junior tournaments, as well as ITF Seniors events and a host of Tennis Europe contests and national championships.
“This is something that when we looked at what was happening in this region, we didn’t have good feelings,” said Ukrainian Tennis Federation Vice-President and Executive Director Evgeniy Zukin. “Nevertheless, when we saw the photographs, we were devastated.
“It was our goal to create a centre which was part of the federation, that could develop players and host tournaments. It proved incredibly successful. Now, there is nothing, everything has been wiped out and destroyed.
“It is not surprising given the fighting which has taken place. On some photographs you can see tank tracks. One of our groundsmen took the photographs of the centre but it is not safe there. There are still bombs on the tennis courts which did not explode.”
The Ukrainian Tennis Federation (UTF) has produced a video which shows their tennis centre before and after the hostilities
Zukin is currently in Portugal, having flown there for Tennis Europe’s AGM following Ukraine’s hastily rearranged Davis Cup World Group I Play-off tie with Barbados in Antalya, Turkey in early March.
He and his family – his wife, 12-year-old daughter and son, who was born four months ago today – have remained there ever since, although their intention is to travel to London once the relevant paperwork has been sorted and visas granted.
Thankfully, all Ukrainian Tennis Federation employees are safe and accounted for, with some fleeing to Poland and Germany, while others opted to stay in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the bloodshed and devastation within their homeland continues.
“Our tennis courts and tennis life does not compare to the atrocities which have taken place and seen thousands killed,” said Zukin. “We are extremely lucky that we are safe.
“It is not easy to explain how life is at the present time. From the first day of the war, every Ukrainian is just living on their phone every 10-15 minutes. We’re following the news to see where the latest missile has hit and what has happened.
“It is not possible to concentrate on anything else other than what is going on in our country. For me, the most important thing is my parents, that they keep their heads up high. They are in Kyiv and have been in shelters. They are coping the best they can.
“However, you cannot be relaxed when missiles are hitting. Only recently, part of the missile that was hit by our anti-missile operation landed about 200m from the balcony of my apartment there. It is scary.
“But we need to carry on the best we can and do what needs doing. We need to run the federation and we have more work now than in peace time as we have hundreds of requests from players for help. It is vital to keep going.”
Defiance has unquestionably been shown and against the backdrop of so much uncertainty, Ukraine fulfilled their Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Qualifier against USA in Asheville, North Carolina at the weekend.
USA were victorious and duly progressed to November’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals, although Ukraine’s players – Dayana Yastremska, Katarina Zavatska and Nadiia and Lyudmyla Kichenok – represented their nation with pride and distinction.
There was a far wider context to the tie of course and a heart-warming show of unity and solidarity by the global tennis community. Teams, sponsors, fans and Billie Jean King herself all made significant contributions to the Tennis Plays For Peace initiative, which has raised more than $1m to support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.
“All the players who participated in our Billie Jean King Cup tie are heroes,” said Zukin.
“I am really thankful to Dayana Yastremska for standing up and at really short notice cancelling a WTA event in Istanbul in order to play for the team. She was the leader of this team, and the other players were incredible also, pushing USA all the way.
“I cannot thank the players and the captain, Olga Savchuk, enough. But the biggest win of this tie is raising more than $1m for people in need in Ukraine. Not putting up a team could have been a possibility, but I am so glad we could.
“I am also really thankful to the ITF and USTA for their financial contribution to this tie. Aside from the result, I could not be happier with what was achieved under incredibly difficult circumstances.”
Events in Ukraine have placed much into perspective. The level of uncertainty means it is increasingly difficult for the population, especially those who have been displaced, to envisage a future which in any way resembles their former lives.
However, despite the depths of despair which many Ukrainians are feeling right now, there remains hope that one day everything which once existed, will return. Zukin is no different.
“We are going step by step,” he added. “Firstly, we have to ensure that the Ukrainian Tennis Federation still operates, and we can pay salaries to the employees and send teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and junior team competitions.
“This is what we’re focusing on. Let’s see. The sooner the war finishes, the better for everyone. Then we will get back home and try to build tennis up again.”
#TennisPlaysForPeace has raised more than $1m so far to support the humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Click here to donate.