In an extraordinary turn of events, world number 46 tennis player, Dayana Yastremska found herself on the brink of deportation from the United States before the commencement of Indian Wells. The Ukrainian tennis star detailed her nerve-racking experience, likening it to a “movie scene”.
Yastremska revealed that she was erroneously reported to the US authorities via Interpol for having misplaced her visa and passport. This unexpected and false allegation created a severe hindrance just as she was preparing for a successful run at Indian Wells.
Showcasing an impressive performance this week, Yastremska has reigned supreme in the desert, with straight-set victories over Yue Yuan with a score of 6-2 6-4, and Ons Jabeur 6-3 6-1. Her winning streak has set the stage for her to face off against the reigning champion, Iga Swiatek, in the third round.
The 24-year-old three-time WTA champion shared her ordeal, recalling the intense anxiety from the incident which occurred just a week before her phenomenal start at Indian Wells. “I was flying from Nice to San Francisco via Istanbul. Upon landing, I was instantly threatened with deportation back to Ukraine,” she expressed, during a candid conversation with Ukrainian Tennis BTU.
Contrary to the false report, Yastremska stressed that her passport and visa were securely in her possession, and not lost as claimed. “My passport was right there in my hands and had never been missing,” she confirmed.
According to US law, a visa associated with a passport reported lost becomes automatically invalid. Consequently, Yastremska’s visa was stamped as canceled, despite being valid for another two years. The tennis star humorously recollected her initial reaction, “I thought, ‘That’s it—I’m done, heading back home.'”
After an anxious wait of four hours at the airport immigration, the authorities granted her a document permitting her to stay in the US for six months, post which she would need to renew her visa. “It was stressful and intense—straight out of a movie,” Yastremska recounted.
In the interview, Yastremska admitted that she was unaware of the person who falsely reported her. She extended her gratitude to the US authorities who comprehended the situation and extended their assistance.
In the meantime, Yastremska is preparing for her third face-off with Swiatek. They have clashed twice before, with Yastremska triumphant in their 2019 Billie Jean King Cup meeting, and Swiatek winning their most recent encounter at last month’s tournament in Dubai.
