Ukraine tennis star hits out after Russian missile strike destroyed her family home in tower block attack that killed two and injured 37 including a baby
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By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER and WILL STEWART
Published: | Updated:
A Ukrainian tennis star has hit out at Russia after her family home was destroyed in a missile strike.
Dayana Yastremska's 22nd floor flat in Odesa was reduced to rubble when it was struck by a Russian cruise missile on Friday night.
Two people died and 37 were injured, including a baby.
The only thing that was left after Ms Yastremska's family home was destroyed in the attack was an orange Roland Garros towel which hung from the wreckage.
In an emotional social media post on Saturday, Ms Yastremska, 26, shared footage of the burning tower block alongside pictures of her towel and a children's toy amongst the rubble.
She said: 'This is what the "Russian world" looks like, a direct hit by a Kalibr cruise missile.
'A Russian missile destroyed our apartment in Odesa. The only thing that survived was a Roland Garros towel.
'SYMBOLIC. A piece of world tennis survived a Russian missile. Our home did not.'
Ukrainian tennis star Dayana Yastremska, 26, has previously described Russia as a 'terrorist country'
She shared footage of the blaze which ensued at her family home after it was struck by a Russian missile
Ms Yastremska said the only thing that was left was an orange Roland Garros towel which hanged from the wreckage (pictured)
The tennis star also called on the Women's Tennis Association and International Tennis Federation to stop being 'neutral' in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Tagging these organisations in the post, Ms Yastremska said: 'Look at these images through our eyes.
'This is the true meaning of your "neutrality" - from the Ukrainian side of the court.'
Her grandmother's home was previously damaged during an attack on New Year's Eve 2024.
Ms Yastremska has described Russia as a 'terrorist country' and said facing Russian and Belarusian players was emotionally difficult.
The player, who has won more than $6million in career prize money, refuses to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents.
In 2023 she said: 'It doesn't matter which tournament - we're not going to shake hands.'
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