Stars hearts melted by homeless angels
Courtney Walsh
When the time comes for Yulia Putintseva to hang up her racquet, the Kazakhstan star has major plans for the first day of her post-tennis life.
The top-seed in the inaugural WTA 250 Astana Open will rapidly expand her family with furry friends and said that if not for the travel required in her career, she would already be the owner of one of woman’s best friends.
«I really love animals. The first day I finish my career, I will buy two dogs and one cat, definitely. I have already decided for myself,» she said.
«I really would love to travel with an animal but I think that with my lifestyle, it is impossible, since I also want a big dog.»
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Retirement plans can wait for the 26-year-old, who is seeking to win a second WTA Tour title in 2021 after her triumph in the Hungarian Open in July, but she is keen for others to experience the joy.
Ahead of her opening round clash in Nur-Sultan on Tuesday against Ekaterina Gorgodze, the world No. 47 joined fellow tour players at an event to promote an important social cause in Kazakhstan.
Nur-Sultan is home to several charities designed to better the lives of stray animals by finding new families for cats and dogs living on the streets.
Putintseva, Ana Konjuh, Kristina Mladenovic and Yaroslava Shvedova stepped away from their preparations for the WTA 250 to help raise awareness for a pet shelter named Angels Hearts on Monday.
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Konjuh, who was all smiles as the cat she was cuddling firmly attached itself to her coat, said she was aware it was an issue that officials in Kazakhstan were working to improve.
«I think it is a great cause, honestly,’ she said.
«I have heard it is a big social issue here and I would really like people to know that it is more beautiful to adopt these animals than for them to be in a shelter.
«I think they are all deserving of love, warmth and a warm meal, and I am sure it is going to do (people) as much good as it is going to do the (animals).»
On her social media page, Mladenovic posted photographs of herself nursing a ginger-colored cat on her racket and also posing alongside a handsome dog available for adoption.
She noted her fortune at «meeting some lovely homeless animals today».
Konjuh is another WTA player desperate to become a pet owner when she retires.
«I love animals. Back home my family has a cat, a dog, a bunny, a horse, so we have a whole farm,» she said. «Especially my sisters, they love it. If I could, I would probably bring one home.»
Grand Slam champions including Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu often travel with their pets.
World No. 1 Ash Barty has missed her dogs back in her hometown of Brisbane dearly this year and is looking forward to taking them for long walks at the end of her season.
Konjuh, who has produced some encouraging performances on the comeback trail from injury in 2021, said she would investigate the possibility of becoming a pet owner once she had more certainty in her career.
«It is hard with our lifestyle to have animals back home, because we are on the road so much, but I see so many girls right now who have little dogs just travelling with them, so I am sure that once I have settled down, I am going to find an option as well,» she said.
When the time comes for Yulia Putintseva to hang up her racquet, the Kazakhstan star has major plans for the first day of her post-tennis life.
The top-seed in the inaugural WTA 250 Astana Open will rapidly expand her family with furry friends and said that if not for the travel required in her career, she would already be the owner of one of woman’s best friends.
«I really love animals. The first day I finish my career, I will buy two dogs and one cat, definitely. I have already decided for myself,» she said.
«I really would love to travel with an animal but I think that with my lifestyle, it is impossible, since I also want a big dog.»
Retirement plans can wait for the 26-year-old, who is seeking to win a second WTA Tour title in 2021 after her triumph in the Hungarian Open in July, but she is keen for others to experience the joy.
Ahead of her opening round clash in Nur-Sultan on Tuesday against Ekaterina Gorgodze, the world No. 47 joined fellow tour players at an event to promote an important social cause in Kazakhstan.
Nur-Sultan is home to several charities designed to better the lives of stray animals by finding new families for cats and dogs living on the streets.
Putintseva, Ana Konjuh, Kristina Mladenovic and Yaroslava Shvedova stepped away from their preparations for the WTA 250 to help raise awareness for a pet shelter named Angels Hearts on Monday.
Konjuh, who was all smiles as the cat she was cuddling firmly attached itself to her coat, said she was aware it was an issue that officials in Kazakhstan were working to improve.
«I think it is a great cause, honestly,’ she said.
«I have heard it is a big social issue here and I would really like people to know that it is more beautiful to adopt these animals than for them to be in a shelter.
«I think they are all deserving of love, warmth and a warm meal, and I am sure it is going to do (people) as much good as it is going to do the (animals).»
On her social media page, Mladenovic posted photographs of herself nursing a ginger-colored cat on her racket and also posing alongside a handsome dog available for adoption.
She noted her fortune at «meeting some lovely homeless animals today».
Konjuh is another WTA player desperate to become a pet owner when she retires.
«I love animals. Back home my family has a cat, a dog, a bunny, a horse, so we have a whole farm,» she said. «Especially my sisters, they love it. If I could, I would probably bring one home.»
Grand Slam champions including Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu often travel with their pets.
World No. 1 Ash Barty has missed her dogs back in her hometown of Brisbane dearly this year and is looking forward to taking them for long walks at the end of her season.
Konjuh, who has produced some encouraging performances on the comeback trail from injury in 2021, said she would investigate the possibility of becoming a pet owner once she had more certainty in her career.
«It is hard with our lifestyle to have animals back home, because we are on the road so much, but I see so many girls right now who have little dogs just travelling with them, so I am sure that once I have settled down, I am going to find an option as well,» she said.
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