250th ranked WTA player Vitalia Dyatchenko missed the tournament in Corsica (ITF Calvi) after she was denied boarding in Cairo because she has a Russian passport.

Vitalia Dyatchenko could not fly to Corsica because she is Russian

The athlete, who was born in Sochi (on the shores of the Black Sea), is known in the WTA more for her looks than her results, published a message on Instastory in which she tells about what she went through.

“Does this really help improve the situation for peace? I was refused a flight on a tour to Corsica by Lott Airlines Cairo – Warsaw – Nice because I have a Russian passport. The rules of the airline – suddenly do not allow any Russian to fly with the airline Lott!” – Vitaly Dyachenko.

Her father was born in Ukraine and has a diplomatic passport, but Vitalya was not allowed on the plane.

“I had all the letters of support from the WTA, the ITF, but in today’s tennis it doesn’t seem to matter at all. I had letters of support from my father, who was born in Ukraine and works for the UN.

This letter certifies that I am his daughter (airline policy allows family members of diplomatic passport holders to fly), but now all airlines suddenly refuse to provide these documents through your country of birth” – Vitaly Dyachenko.

As a result, Dyatchenko was stuck at Cairo airport for 18 hours, sleeping on benches, without food and not being let out of the airport.

The player’s travel plan had to include four flights instead of two because of restrictions that forced her to enter Europe through Spain, the only country that issued her a visa.

“I hope to get rid of politics, racism and Nazism. Just peace and a clear sky, please!” – exclaimed Dyatchenko, who plays under a neutral flag, like other Russian and Belarusian tennis players.

Having already spent several thousand dollars, Dyachchenko’s only option is to return home and miss the ITF W40 tournament in Calva.