Miroslaw Skrzypczynski has resigned from his position as the Polish Tennis Federation president after Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz called for action against him, according to Polish sports journalist Dominik Senkowski.
Miroslaw Skrzypczynski, president of the Polish Tennis Association, has resigned.
He is accused by players for example about sexual harassment. Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz recently spoke on the matter. They supported the victims — Dominik Senkowski (@dsenkowski07) November 24, 2022
This week, the Polish tennis community was rocked by the news of Katarzyna Kotula accusing Skrzypczynski of sexual abuse.
Kotula, who currently serves as Polish MP, was just 13 when Skrzypczynski allegedly sexually abused her. In a statement made to Polish media, Kotula used the word “predator” when describing Skrzypczynski. Shortly after Kotula made the allegations against Skrzypczynski, the top two Polish players – Swiatek and Hubert – supported the victim and called for those accusations to be taken very seriously.
Skrzypczynski resigns after the Swiatek, Hurkacz criticism
“I feel that as a current leader of women’s tennis I can’t be silent about particular matters. I remember that I appreciate having the freedom to decide whether I want to speak up about something or not.
When it comes to physical violence or emotional abuse the most important issue is thinking and being sensitive about the victims. And when we speak up about something happening we need to think about them first and most of all.
I am trying to do this the best way I can. I’m against violence in sports, in tennis, in every discipline and in everyday life. That’s why I consider the articles about the president of the Polish Tennis Association as a serious matter.
Governing bodies should determine what happened and I hope they will take care of this case. This is not my role to do the work of governing bodies and journalists as the matter is too serious and it’s about people’s life and health.
What I feel I can do is to encourage you to look for help when something bad happens in sports communities and in every situation in life. This can be my role and this is how I can use my influence here – being a voice who tries to educate and remind that the most significant thing is to look for help when you need it,” Swiatek wrote in a message posted on her Twitter.
Hurkacz said: “I support all women and all victims of abuse. No coach or guardian should use their power and position towards anyone. Any aggression, both in sports as well as outside of it needs to be condemned and punished.
I hope that appropriate authorities will react to the press reports on the subject of the head of the Polish Tennis Association. I stand with all victims of abuse. Swiatek is currently the face of women’s tennis and she is trying to use her voice whenever she feels she needs to do so.
