International Tennis Federation bans Russia and Belarus from team competitions

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has excluded Russia and Belarus from participating in international team events, mainly the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup. However individual players such as World Number One Daniil Medvedev of Russia will be allowed to play in regular tournaments.

The decision came down as the ITF board met Tuesday following the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Executive Board. The IOC had banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in other international sporting events.

The Ukrainian Tennis Federation had also asked the ITF to exclude Russia and Belarus from competing in individual and team events, but they didn’t go as severe in their sanctions of the two nations.

In a statement the ITF ruled, “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.”

“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and review on an ongoing basis. Any further course of action will be decided based on a thorough risk assessment and the advice we receive from security experts and the relevant authorities.”

The ITF remains in close contact with the Ukraine Tennis Federation and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

On the heels of becoming the men’s top-ranked player Monday, Medvedev will be still be allowed to play in tournaments along with fellow national and world No. 6 Andrey Rublev. Both players have voiced their support for peace in the current conflict.

Top-15 ranked Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova commented to CNN on Wednesday. “I’m not a politician,” she said, “just a woman who plays tennis professionally. I just try to speak out, try to make my point. I don’t want violence. We just want peace and love and stop the war.”

The International Tennis Federation has announced excluded Russia and Belarus from participating in international team events. However individual players such as World No ! Daniil Medvedev will be allowed to play.

The decision down as the International Tennis Federation board met Tuesday following the recommendation of the IOC’s executive board. The IOC had banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in other international sporting events.

The Ukrainian Tennis Federation had also asked the governing body of the sport to exclude Russia and Belarus from competing in individual and team events. The ITF didn’t go as severe in their sanctions towards the two nations.

In a statement the ITF ruled that, ‘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,’

“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and review on an ongoing basis. Any further course of action will be decided based on a thorough risk assessment and the advice we receive from security experts and the relevant authorities.”

The ITF remains in close contact with the Ukraine Tennis Federation and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine”.

Playing under the auspices of a neutral flag, international team tournaments such as The Davis Cup, The ATP Cup and Billie Jean King Cup are still open to players from Russia and Belarus to compete.

On the heels of becoming the Men’s world No 1 on Monday, Daniil Medvedev will be still be allowed to play in tournaments along with fellow national and world No 6 Andrey Rublev. Both players have voiced their support for peace in the current conflict.

Top-ranked Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova commented to CNN on Wednesday. “I’m not a politician,” she said, “just a woman who plays tennis professionally. I just try to speak out, try to make my point. I don’t want violence. We just want peace and love and stop the war.”