Heads of ATP, WTA criticize pro player Stakhovsky for anti-gay comments attributed to him
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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."
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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.