Ukrainian tennis stars heartbreaking post as she flees leaving parents behind

02/27/2022

Families across Ukraine have been ripped apart as a result of Russia's ongoing invasion, with professional athletes no exception to the chaos currently enveloping the country.

That's after tennis talent Dayana Yastremska took to social media to share the news she has been forced to leave her parents behind while she evacuated her native land.

Latest reports suggested the civilian death toll in Ukraine stands at 219 as of Sunday morning, with Russian forces continuing to launch missiles at apartment buildings as they bombard the capital, Kyiv.

Russian president Vladimir Putin began his siege on neighbouring Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning, forcing the local masses to either fight or flee in their efforts to survive.

Odessa-born Yastremska, 21, told of her family's endeavours to leave the country, revealing her and her sister had to leave their mother and father behind as they boarded a boat for Romania.

"After spending two nights in the underground parking, my parents made a decision at any cost to send me and my little sister out of Ukraine," Yastremska wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post.

"Mom, Dad, we love you very much, take care of yourself!!! I love you my country! Ukrainians take care of your lives."

One video showed her 15-year-old sister, Ivanna, in tears as she hugged her father, Oleksandr, not knowing when or if she might see her parents again.

Another captured Yastremska waving goodbye from aboard the boat bound for Romania, with family members returning the favour from a riverbank across the water.

The world No. 120—who rose to No. 20 in the WTA rankings in 2020—previously posted a picture of the Ukrainian flag and said there was "so much pain and fear" when Russia's invasion first unfolded.

Yastremska took to social media again later on Saturday and said she and her sister had successfully travelled to Romania, a pit-stop on their journey to France.

“Tired, but my sister and I are safe,” she said.

“Thank you France, Ukraine stay strong, we miss you home, Mum and Dad," alongside a series of emojis, including love hearts, the Ukrainian flag, praying hands and sad faces.

As fate would have it, Yastremska is set to meet Romania's Ana Bogdan in the first round of the Lyon Open, which is due to get underway on Monday.

Despite being forced to flee her home nation and the inevitable torment having been forced to leave family behind, the youngster appears adamant to try and add to her three WTA titles in France.

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