Russians and Belarusians will be able to continue to participate in tournaments organized by the ATP and WTA, including the Grand Slams, but they are excluded from the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup, As announced on Tuesday by the instances of world tennis in which he is the current champion, announced the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
Daniil Medvedev, brand new N.1 in the world, Andrey Rublev (N.6), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (N.14) or the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (N.3), will thus be able to continue registering in tournaments, starting with Indian Wells in California, which begins on March 10, and then at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
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“However, until further notice, they will not participate (in these competitions) under the flag of Russia and Belarus,” continues the joint statement from the organizers.
On the contrary, Russia will not be able to defend its title in the Davis Cup and in the Billie Jean King Cup, two competitions in which it was proclaimed champion in 2021.
Reactions of the tennis world to the Russian invasion
Among the athletes, Rublev and Pavlyuchenkova showed their opposition to the war triggered by the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army.
The ATP and the WTA also announced the cancellation of the Moscow tournament, scheduled for October.
The International Olympic Committee on Monday recommended excluding Russians from sports competitions, or at least preventing their participation under the country’s flag.
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Entered in the tournament in Monterrey (Mexico), the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina refused to face the Russian Anastasia Potapova in the first round. Svitolina warned that she would maintain that position until the tennis authorities decided not to accept “Russian or Belarusian citizens except as neutral athletes.”
SPORTS
with AFP
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