Russian tennis player Tatiana Proskova was withdrawn from the WTA 500 tournament in Singapore following the protocol on concussion, it was announced after the decision was made. Proskova was forced to withdraw against her will, following a ball striking her head during the doubles quarter-finals.
Proskova had reached the semi-finals in the singles, but withdrew from the doubles match after the incident. Several hours later, it was confirmed that she was withdrawing from the entire tournament. Her opponent in the semi-finals, Australian Talia Gibson, advanced directly to the final as a result.
On social media, Proskova stated that she was forced to withdraw. She stated that the tournament's medical staff conducted a series of tests and concluded that she was not fit to compete, although she felt well and ready to play. "The organizers withdrew me from the match at the WTA 500 in Singapore," she wrote.
According to her, during the match, one of the opponents hit her with a smash that grazed her cheek and struck her shoulder. A physiotherapist came onto the court and insisted that she undergo a specific test. Proskova stated that she did not know she could refuse the test.
Proskova stated that she had spent more than three hours a day on the court for the last three days. She was tired and found it difficult to perform certain exercises, such as balancing on one leg with her eyes closed. She added that she had passed all the tests except one, with which the officials were dissatisfied.
The physiotherapist, according to Proskova, was putting pressure on her and suggesting that she was not capable of making decisions for herself, and that she needed at least six days of rest without tennis. "After the match, I had a recovery session and had dinner. I felt great," she said. She added that the physiotherapist was following a specific WTA protocol and putting pressure on the organizers regarding her condition, claiming that she was not fit to take responsibility for her own life.
The decision by the organizers affected her greatly. "My dream week is over," said Proskova. She called on the WTA to review its rules, stating that such a system leaves players completely helpless.
