Dayana Yastremska, currently ranked world number 46, experienced the unthinkable just days before participating in the prestigious Indian Wells tournament, coming perilously close to being deported from the United States. The Ukrainian tennis star described the ordeal as akin to a "movie scene" and opened up about the stress of being falsely reported to authorities via Interpol for allegedly losing her visa and passport.
Yastremska's heart-stopping experience began around March 2, 2025, as she flew from Nice to San Francisco via Istanbul. Upon landing, she was met with the shocking news: U.S. immigration authorities informed her she would be deported back to Ukraine. "I was flying from Nice to San Francisco via Istanbul. Upon landing, they immediately wanted to deport me back to Ukraine. Apparently, someone had officially reported to U.S. authorities through Interpol my passport and visa were lost. But, completely false—my passport was right there in my hands and had never been missing," Yastremska recounted during her interview with Ukrainian Tennis BTU.
The palpable anxiety of the situation escalated as she faced four long hours detained at airport immigration. According to U.S. law, if a passport is labeled as lost, any associated visa becomes automatically invalid. Hence, after the erroneous report, her visa, which was valid for another two years, was canceled on the spot, leading her to believe her hopes for competing at Indian Wells were dashed. "Even though my visa was actually valid for another two years, they stamped my visa as canceled, and honestly, at the moment, I thought, ‘That’s it—I’m done, heading back home,’" she shared with humor amid the anxiety.
Fortunately, after what felt like an eternity, authorities issued her documentation allowing her to stay for six months, which could be renewed later. "After four tense hours, they gave me a document allowing me to stay in the U.S. for six months, after which I'd need to renew my visa. It was stressful and intense—straight out of a movie," Yastremska reiterated.
Despite the ordeal, Yastremska has proven to be unfazed on the court. She triumphed over both Yue Yuan with scores of 6-2, 6-4 and Ons Jabeur, defeating her 6-3, 6-1, showcasing her formidable skills. With victories under her belt, she is set to square off against defending champion Iga Swiatek, marking their third face-off. Yastremska won their previous encounter during the 2019 Billie Jean King Cup but faced defeat at their most recent meeting in February 2025 during the Dubai tournament.
This remarkable story not only highlights the intense pressures athletes can face off the court but also serves as a reminder of the importance of having accurate records and clear communication, particularly when it relates to immigration and personal identification. Despite the fear and anxiety of potentially being forced to flee back to her home country, Yastremska expressed her gratitude to the U.S. authorities for their assistance during her ordeal.
Yastremska's upcoming match against Swiatek will certainly be one to watch as she seeks to continue her impressive run and potentially secure her place among the greats of the game, demonstrating resilience not just on the court but also through her harrowing experience off it.