The Monterrey top seed has decided to withdraw from the tour regarding the unclear decision about the Russian representation from the ITF/WTA/ATP. The Ukrainian players had also requested to the ATP, WTA, ITF to follow the recommendations of the International Olympics Committee, which is to accept the Russian and Belarusian athletes only on the omission of national symbols, colours, flags or anthems as neutral athletes.
In the statement put out by the Ukrainian, she mentions her unwillingness to play against any Russian or Belarusian tennis players until the respective organisations have taken the necessary decision.
She won't play on tour against Russians****.
She is scheduled to face Russian Potapova tomorrow.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 28, 2022
The 27-year-old also added that she understands the situation the Russian athletes are put in and that they are not to blame or to be held responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. She has wished to pay tribute to all those athletes, especially Russians and Belarussians who have bravely stated their stance against the war.
The Ukrainian Federation of Tennis had also called on the International Tennis Federation to expel athletes who represent Russia and Belarus in the upcoming tournaments. In a letter reviewed by Reuters, the Federations stated that Russia and Belarus do not have the right to hold tournaments but also participate in them. The ‘unprecedented, cynical and bloody’ action by Russia on Ukraine has put a hold on the country’s economy and the goal of the full-fledged war was extermination, the letter read.
Russian Daniil Medvedev, World No.1 after beating Djokovic and four other Russian tennis players are set to play in the Indian Wells tournament next month in California. The presence of all the Russian athletes in tournaments across the world now stands in question as the Ukraine crisis continues and as associations and federations come together in solidarity.
