WTA Lyon: Dayana Yastremska donates prize money to Ukraine
Dayana Yastremska lost the final against Zhang Shuai 6:3, 3:6 and 4:6 at the WTA 250 event in Lyon. The Ukrainian would like to donate the prize money to her home country.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Mar 07, 2022, 08:22 am
In the end, it just wasn't enough to fulfill the great tennis miracle: Dayana Yastremska, who fled Ukraine a few days ago, played what was probably the most emotional tournament of her career so far in Lyon - and reached the final at the WTA 250 event. However, the Ukrainian had to admit defeat to Zhang Shuai 6:3, 3:6 and 4:6 on Sunday.
"It was a very tough week for me. Thanks for the support," said a tearful Yastremska during the award ceremony. Throughout the tournament she "fought, not just for me but also for my country," said the Ukrainian. "When Ukrainians watch me, I want to say to them: you are so strong."
Yastremaka donates prize money
Now the 21-year-old would like to donate the prize money she won from Lyon (14,500 euros) to a foundation that supports Ukraine. Her compatriot Elina Svitolina recently declared that she wanted to donate her prize money to her country.
In her homeland, Yastremska was woken up by bombs, said the world number 140. reported in France. First, she and her 15-year-old sister sought shelter from the Russian bombing in an underground car park before they left the country by ship for Romania. Her parents stayed in Ukraine.