'This is hard': Tennis body denies plea in shock bans over Russia conflict
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has opted for a less severe punishment than called for from the Olympics committee and will allow individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to play tournaments.
Following the crisis in Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) executive board recommended that sports federations and event organisers "not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions." (Belarus has supported the Russian invasion.)
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Following the call, FIFA banned all Russian national teams and clubs from all competitions "until further notice", all but ruling them out of World Cup qualification.
The move sparked conversation around whether sport bodies will heed the IOC's advice and ban high-profile individual athletes.
One such sport that would have been hugely affected by the ban on Russian athletes was tennis.
This would see new ATP World No.1 Russian Daniil Medvedev banned from the sport.
Belarusian WTA World No.3 Aryna Sabalenka would also find herself sidelined.
And on Wednesday, the ITF announced individual athletes would not be banned from taking part in ATP and WTA events.
Although Russian and Belarusian players will play under a neutral flag.
However, Russia and Belarus would be banned from taking part in team events such as the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.
“The international governing bodies of tennis stand united in our condemnation of Russia’s actions and, as a result, are in agreement with the following decisions and actions,” the statement read.
“The WTA and ATP Boards have made the decision to suspend the WTA / ATP combined event, scheduled this October in Moscow.
“The ITF Board has made the decision to suspend the Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation membership and to withdraw their entries from all ITF international team competition until further notice. This action follows the cancellation of all ITF tournaments in Russia and Belarus indefinitely.
“At this time, players from Russia and Belarus will continue to be allowed to compete in international tennis events on Tour and at the Grand Slams. However, they will not compete under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice.”
The move certainly started a conversation around whether the ban was the right decision.
I hope people realize it is not the tennis players at war. People don’t need to harass them. This is hard for everyone. We don’t live under dictatorship so have understanding their family might be in danger
— Dawnk (@kotellos) March 1, 2022
Good decision players should be allowed to play under neutral flag
— Pete (@Pete907168661) March 1, 2022
A little late but as expected. I don't think that ATP/WTA player should be suspended. It's their job, they do not represent a country.
— Emmalu Ise (@Kaffeoxitant) March 1, 2022
It's the right decision, players shouldn't be punished for the actions of their homeland, unless they speak in support of it.
— what's the craic? (@whatsthecraic1) March 1, 2022
A reasonable response.
Those who are calling for all Russian players to be suspended should perhaps consider that Elina Svitolina, who took a stand and led the way towards this, never asked for action of that kind.— Bobito 💙💛 (@bobito64) March 1, 2022
Seems sensible. Given that Elina Svitolina - an actual Ukrainian - suggested something along these lines, I don't think it would be right for any of us to suggest that she is wrong.
— Helen Barton-Hanson (@helenbhans) March 1, 2022
I'm actually not sure it goes far enough. One can argue these Russian players have spoken out and it is not their fault, but the point of the sanctions is to put pressure on, and isolate, the Russian and Belarussian governments,
— Rebecca Smith 🌻💙💛 (@Bekacs4) March 1, 2022
Daniil Medvedev's World No.1 rise
The call would have had a huge impact on the game.
Russian Daniil Medvedev just overtook Novak Djokovic to become the men's World No.1.
It was the first time since 2004 that someone other than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray has held the ranking.
Countryman Andrey Rublev is World No.6.
Both players have called for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine.
Russian World No.14 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova went one step further and spoke out against her own government in a brave statement calling for an end to the war in Ukraine.
However, Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina said she won't compete against any Russian athletes on the Tour while the conflict continues.
Svitolina also made it clear during her statement that she didn't blame Russian or Belarusian athletes, but wanted the WTA to make their point clear before moving forward.
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