ATP, WTA criticize Sergiy Stakhovsky for alleged anti-gay comments about women's tour
The heads of the ATP and WTA have criticized professional tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky for anti-gay comments about the women's tour attributed to him. His remarks came in an interview with a Ukraine-based website.
WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster said Friday it's ''sad to think in this day and age there are people who are narrow-minded and speak derisively about women based on sexual orientation.''
Allaster adds in her statement on the tour's website that such comments are a ''sad reflection of old thinking, and I'm proud of all our WTA players who are forward thinking, treat everyone equal and reflect life in the 21st century.''
ATP executive chairman and president Chris Kermode, in a statement emailed by a spokesman, says Stakhovsky's ''alleged remarks are offensive, unacceptable, and have no place in our sport.'' Kermode adds the matter is being reviewed to determine any further action.
Stakhovsky, a 29-year-old from Ukraine, is ranked 49th and lost in the first round at Wimbledon last week.
