What’s next for Russian tennis? In contrast to many other sports, ATP, WTA and ITF have not yet announced any consequences.
She has to decide personally whether she wants to compete against a Russian: The Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
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The white, blue and red flag continues to fly next to the name of world number one Daniil Medvedev, the successful teams are still in the competitions: For Russia’s tennis professionals, there have been no far-reaching consequences of the military attack on Ukraine so far. The ITF, ATP and WTA associations have still not announced any clear consequences, but the pressure is increasing.
While FIFA excluded all teams from Russia and the IOC called on the international professional associations to ban athletes from the country from competitions, there has been no reaction in tennis to the clear request of the Ukrainian association UTF.
Russia’s tennis professionals with strong performances
The international tennis association ITF is responsible for the traditional team competitions Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. Both recently won Russian teams. And otherwise athletes from the country of Vladimir Putin shape the sport. Above all, Medvedev as US Open champion and new number one is a real figurehead. Anastasia Pavluchenkova reached the final of the French Open for women last year.
WTA: Clear stance in the case of Peng Shuai, currently there is silence
The fact that the associations have not yet reacted to the current crisis is surprising, especially in view of the WTA, which took a clear position early on in the Peng Shuai case and did not shy away from financial losses. Steve Simon, head of the international women’s tour, took action with a clear moral compass and without further ado cut the Chinese tournaments from the annual plan. An SID inquiry about the consequences of the Ukraine war was initially not followed on Tuesday, as was the case with the other associations.
Svitolina in conflict
The day before, top Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina had increased the pressure significantly after being drawn to Russia’s Anastasia Potapova as her first-round opponent for a tournament in Mexico. “I would like to announce that I will not play against Russian or Belarusian tennis players in Monterrey or in any other match until our organizations take the necessary measures,” Svitolina wrote on Twitter. However, it was important for her to emphasize that she “does not blame” the Russian athletes.
I will not play against Russian or Belarusian tennis players in Monterrey or in any other match until our organizations take the necessary measures.
Reports followed on Tuesday that Svitolina should compete after all. It would be a sign that something could also be moving in tennis on the Russia question.
