The Albany Gazette - 'Stop the war' says Russian tennis star Pavlyuchenkova

The 30-year-old -- ranked 14 in the world and with over 12 million dollars career earnings -- said she, her friends and family were very afraid of what the consequences might be.

"Stop the war, stop the violence," she tweeted on Tuesday.

"I have represented Russia all my life. This is my home and my country. But now I am in complete fear, as are my friends and family.

"I am not afraid to clearly state my position. I am against war and violence," said the player who has reached the quarter-finals in all four of tennis' Grand Slams.

"Personal ambitions or political motives cannot justify violence. This takes away the future not only from us, but also from our children.

"I am not a politician, not a public figure, I have no experience in this. I can only publicly disagree with these decisions taken and openly talk about it. Stop the violence, stop the war."

Another Russian player Anastasia Potapova sounded a different note when she railed against being boycotted for being Russian -- Ukraine's Elina Svitolina refused to play her in the first round of the WTA tournament in Monterrey in Mexico.

"Unfortunately now we professional athletes are becoming hostages of the current situation."

Neither the ATP nor the WTA or the International Tennis Federation (ITF) -- the latter run the Davis Cup with Russia the defending champions -- have taken a decision over whether Russian tennis players can carry on competing.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday had urged sports federations and organisers to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from international events

(T.Renner--BBZ)