What will happen for Russian and Belarusian players in the coming weeks? It’s hard to be optimistic. On the sidelines of the meeting Davis Cup won by the France against theEcuador, Gilles Moretton talked about the war in Ukraine and possible sanctions against Russian and Belarusian players. “We do not prevent ourselves from making other decisions” he said, explaining that the four Grand Slam tournaments were ready to act: in short, potentially banishing Russians and Belarusians from the tables. The world number 1 Daniil Medvedev but also Andrey Rublev, Aryna Sabalenka or Victoria Azarenka, to name but a few, are concerned. At the microphone ofIsabelle Lange on RTLthe president of the FFT developed this idea.
Gilles Moretton on FFT’s support for Ukraine!
“We are all aware of the situation and ready to assume our responsibilities”
“The question is valid. We have seen declarations by Medvedev claiming peace above all. We know that speech is taken away from them. Many that we know, who live in France, are in a difficult situation. We will also have to make important decisions for international sport. Tennis is inevitably affected with the world number 1 which is Medvedev and other very good players and very good players. We are all aware of the situation and ready to assume our responsibilities.“, said the president Moretton.
Know that @D_Yastremska got an invitation for Indian Wells. @GillesMoretton announced yesterday in #ORS @RTLFrance !
The pdt @FFTennis also wonders about the participation of Russians and Belarusians @rolandgarros
Listen here
t’�https: //t.co/XzXP0LGFFo
– Isabelle Langé (@isalange) March 7, 2022
“Medvedev should not play at Roland, Wimbledon and the US Open” for the Ukrainian Federation
In her message to the ITF, the President of the Ukrainian Federation had been very clear last week: “Civilians are dying, including women and children; civilian infrastructure is collapsing. This is a full-scale war that will set our country back decades (…) Russia and Belarus are not not only have the right to organize international competitions on their territory, but also to participate in all ITF team and individual tournaments abroad. Medvedev shouldn’t play at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open. We will let Medvedev play ATP Tour tournaments but Grand Slam tournaments are ITF tournaments. If you can’t play them, you’ll never be number one. They would be ashamed to be excluded from a competition now“, explained the president Kewlysch. His request could be heard visibly.
Medvedev: “I want to ask for peace in the world, for peace between countries”
Daniil Medvedev has always had speeches of peace since the beginning of this tragedy. The Russian had posted a nice message on Instagram. “Do you remember what I said after my Australian Open final? The story was just about me, my childhood, my dreams. And today, I want to speak for all the children in the world. They all have dreams, their life is just beginning, great experiences to come: first friends, first strong emotions. Everything they see and feel is a first for them. This is why I want to ask for peace in the world, for peace between countries. Children are born with a trust in the world, they believe a lot in everything, in people, in love, in security and justice, in their luck in life. Let’s unite and show them that it’s true, because no child should stop dreaming.“
