MY ACCOUNT
World number one Daniil Medvedev hopes that Russian and Belarusian tennis players will be allowed to continue competing but acknowledges there remains a chance of further restrictions.
The governing bodies of tennis (the International Tennis Federation, ATP, WTA, and the four Grand Slam events) recently announced that Russian and Belarusian players can no longer compete under the flags of their respective countries.
Russia launched a full-scale military assault on Ukraine last month, a move that received the backing of Belarus, leading the ITF to revoke Russian and Belarussian membership and suspend the countries’ teams.
That decision followed in the footsteps of rulings relating to Russian teams or competitors in various sports, including football and athletics.
Medvedev, who recently talked of his wish to “promote peace”, said he hopes to continue to play, ahead of the first Masters event of the year in Indian Wells.
“It’s always tough to talk on this subject because I want to play tennis, [to] play in different countries,” the 26-year-old said.
“I want to promote my sport.
“I want to promote what I’m doing in my country for sure, and right now the situation is that that is the only way I can play [without representing Russia].”
Medvedev, who became the first men’s world number one from outside of the “big four” of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray since February 2004 last month, did acknowledge that the possibility of a wider ban remains, although he hopes that decision is not taken.
“We never know,” he said.
“Some sports [already] made this decision, especially I think the team sports.
“Tennis is probably one of the most individual sports we have in the world. Everyone’s living in so many different places.
“There’s always a possibility, but I hope not.”
Meanwhile, Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka enters the WTA’s Indian Wells Open as top seed, and the two-time grand slam semi-finalist also says she hopes for a peaceful resolution.
“I feel really sad and really bad about Ukrainian citizens who lost their homes in the war,” the 23-year-old said.
“Unfortunately it’s not under my control. I just hope for peace.
“At least we can play. I do understand [why Russian and Belarusian players cannot play under their flags], but it’s not under our control. We also feel really sad and really bad about this situation.”
