Six days – this is how many federations governing world tennis have been waiting with an official position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Two days after the attack, we asked the WTA if it would withdraw from organizing the October tournament in Moscow. The answer was embarrassing – for the women’s tennis federation.
“The WTA will monitor the turbulent situation as it develops before determining if any modifications to our competition calendar will be necessary.”
A long-awaited statement
Not only is the reaction of the authorities delayed, but it also seems to be too mild. What was decided? The International Tennis Federation ITF, the Women’s Tennis Organization WTA and the Men’s Tennis Organization (ATP) soon issued a joint statement.
“We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and aid from Belarus,” the statement said. “In addition to the cancellation of all ITF events in these countries, the Board announced the immediate suspension of the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarusian Tennis Federation from membership and participation in international team competitions until further notice.” is in close contact with the Ukrainian Tennis Federation and shows solidarity with the people of Ukraine “- added. The WTA and ATP events in Moscow planned for October were also canceled.
Organizations that oversee professional tennis have banned Russia and Belarus from participating in team competitions. At the same time, they allowed tennis players from these countries to participate in tournaments without national identification. There will be no appropriate flags with their names during individual performances.
Also punish individual athletes?
“It’s a complicated topic. For most of the year, tennis players compete as independent athletes who compete on their own behalf, not on behalf of a given country. Most of them have limited contacts with national federations, working with private coaches and managers,” New York Times “.
Probably this was what the ITF, WTA and ATP were guided by without suspending Russian and Belarusian tennis players. However, on Monday, the International Olympic Committee recommended that sports organizations exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions, regardless of whether they play in individual or team disciplines.
How did other federations react? FIFA threw the Russian national team and clubs from international competitions. A similar decision was made by, among others, volleyball FIVB or the International Ice Hockey Federation. But the sanctions also applied to Russians and Belarusians participating in individual sports.
The International Ice Skating Union made a very painful decision for Russia – it banned skaters from participating in the world championships, which will start on March 21 in Montpellier, France. For years, Russia has been a power in skating, as evidenced by the confusion over the medal of 15-year-old Kamiła in Beijing.
The ban imposed by the International Ice Skating Union also covers speed skating. The World Cup starts on Thursday in Norway, and the Shortrack World Cup starts March 18 in Montreal.
World Athletics, the world’s governing body for athletics, has banned athletes from Russia and Belarus from participating in this year’s World Championships in an open stadium in Oregon and in the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade in March. The Russian Athletics Federation has been suspended since 2015 for anti-doping rule violations, but athletes proven to be clean were admitted as neutral athletes.
The world federations of badminton, rowing, canoeing and triathlon have also decided to completely exclude Russian teams and athletes. On Tuesday, the International Ski Federation (FIS) threw skiers from Russia and Belarus from the competition.
Russians say “no”, Belarusian women do not cut themselves off
A chuckle of fate that Danił Medvedev is the leader of the men’s tennis ranking since Monday. The Russian overtook Serb Novak Djokovic, becoming the first tennis player since 2004, outside the so-called The Big Four, which took the lead in the ranking. His compatriot Andrey Rublev is in sixth place.
Both players spoke out against the war. Medvedev made a long Twitter post calling for peace, and Rublev wrote on camera after the recent match in Dubai: “Please for peace.” The 26-year-old Medvedev has been living in France for many years. Rublov, who is two years younger than him, often trains in Spain and Florida. Both are scheduled to appear in March at Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami.
Russian and Belarusian women can also compete in the women’s tournaments. And this, despite the fact that two Belarusian women – the third in the world Arena Sabalenka and former leader Wiktoria Azarenka – did not hide their meetings with Alexander Lukashenka for years. Both do not criticize the dictator after the attack on Ukraine. Russia’s best tennis player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, clearly distanced herself from Vladimir Putin in an interview with CNN.
There was no courage
The decision of the world tennis authorities not to suspend Russian and Belarusian tennis players seems to be wrong. The sanctions will not literally stop Putin, but they should be as severe as possible. They must touch people of culture, business and sport. Sport – including tennis – has a propaganda effect, whether we like it or not. Russian and Belarusian tennis players should also feel it.
– It is unfair to Ukrainian tennis players who, like Serhiy Stakhovsky, are fighting for their country, arms in hand, to repel a bandit attack by the Russian regime. It is a “fifty-fifty” statement, the governing body of the world tennis lacked courage – and it’s hard to disagree with it.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
