Tsurenko, Still in Conflict with the WTA, Has Resumed Training

Will Lesia Tsurenko soon make her return to the tour? The Ukrainian, who was still ranked 31st last year, has since dropped to her current position of 288th in the world.

The 36-year-old player has not competed in any official matches since November, when she represented her country in the Billie Jean King Cup. Since then, several developments have occurred off the court.

Affected by a shoulder injury, she delayed her return to competition last June when she underwent surgery on her right hand. But Tsurenko has primarily been engaged in a lawsuit against the WTA, and more specifically against its former CEO, Steve Simon, whom she has accused of psychological abuse for over two years now.

While the legal proceedings are ongoing, the former world No. 23 has at least resumed training. Still protecting her right arm, Tsurenko does not yet know when she will return to competition, but seeing her back on a practice court is already another step forward in her lengthy rehabilitation.

A professional since 2007, she has won four titles on the main tour, the most recent being in Acapulco in 2018, and she has also reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2018 US Open.