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'Won't allow': Daniil Medvedev facing brutal ban from Wimbledon

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Russian World No.2 Daniil Medvedev (pictured left) speaking to the media and (pictured right) Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian World No.2 Daniil Medvedev (pictured left) may have to provide assurances he doesn't support President Vladimir Putin (pictured right) if he wants to play Wimbledon in the UK. (Getty Images)

World No.2 Daniil Medvedev has been told he may have to denounce Russian President Vladimir Putin if he wants to enter England and play Wimbledon.

Medvedev has denounced the war in Ukraine after calling for peace since Putin announced the invasion, which has seen Russia hit with unprecedented sanctions from world leaders.

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Now, the UK sports minister has claimed he isn't comfortable with a Russian athlete flying the Russian flag if they were to win Wimbledon.

This is despite all Russian and Belarusian athletes playing under neutral flags on the WTA and ATP Tour.

"Many countries have agreed that they will not allow representatives from Russia to compete. There are also visa issues as well," minister Nigel Huddleston said at a select committee in parliament.

"When it comes to individuals, that is more complex.

"Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled."

Hiddleston went on to claim that assurances might have to be made before individual athletes could compete.

"We need some potential assurance that they are not supporters of Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines," he added.

Huddleston said he was discussing the issue with Wimbledon organisers, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC).

Daniil Medvedev loses World No.1 ranking

Medvedev recently denounce the war in Ukraine, on the day he took over as World No.1 from Novak Djokovic.

However, Medvedev crashed out of the third round of the Indian Wells Masters after a shock three-set defeat against Frenchman, Gael Monfils.

Daniil Medvedev (pictured) thanks the crowd as he leaves the court at Indian Wells.
Daniil Medvedev (pictured) was recently knocked out of Indain Wells and will vacate the World No.1 ranking. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (Matthew Stockman via Getty Images)

The Russian - needing to reach the reach the quarter-finals in California to stay in the top spot - appeared on track to reach the last 16 when he won the first set against Monfils.

However, the French ace roared back to seal a surprise 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory that will be music to the ears of Djokovic, who is set to reclaim his status as World No.1 when the rankings next update.

with AAP

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