- Daniil Medvedev is under increasing pressure to denounce Russian President Vladimir Putin
- This could be one of the conditions he must fulfil to play at Wimbledon in May
Daniil Medvedev is between a rock and a hard place with pressure mounting on him to denounce Russian leader Vladimir Putin in order to play at Wimbledon, UK.
Russia is facing global criticism after the invasion of Ukraine now in its third week.
BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells asked Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutral athletes.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston of the United States says that the Russian flag may not be permitted at Wimbledon.
On the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and their stance on Wimbledon, Huddleston revealed that the UK government is in talks.
Daniil Medvedev. Photo/Sky Sports
“Nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled,” Tenniss365 quotes.
We are talking to various sports about this and what the response should be there,” Huddleston added.
“It needs to go beyond that. I think we need to have some assurance that they are not supporters of Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to get assurances along those lines.
In the current state of affairs, Russian tennis players are not prohibited from competing.
However, team competitions like the Davis Cup, where players represent their country, are off-limits to Russian representatives.
Medvedev and Olympic silver medalist Karen Khachanov deleted the Russian flag from their Instagram account more than a week ago.
US residents have received a level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory from the State Department, which has enforced a travel ban on Russian Oligarchs and their immediate relatives.
Citizens of the United States who are currently in Russia were pressured by the US government to consider leaving the country.
A good showing at the two ATP 1000 tournaments in the United States this month was necessary for Medvedev to retain his World No. 1 ranking.
In preparation for the Sunshine Double, which brings the ATP and WTA tours together, he will compete in Indian Wells and Miami.
As a result, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITF) suspended the Russian and Belarus national teams from all ITF-affiliated international competitions “until further notice.”
Russia’s tennis events, which were set for October, have been cancelled by both the ATP and WTA because of deteriorating security.
This week, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), WTA, and ATP all agreed on the sanctions that had been proposed before.
The three bodies said that many tennis players have spoken out and taken action against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Daniil Medvedev. Photo/Sky Sports
Further, they jointly agreed on the sanctions that were outlined earlier this week.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and we commend the many tennis players who have spoken out and taken action against this unacceptable act of aggression,” the statement read.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aided by Belarus, has led to penalties from other organizations, notably FIFA, the sport’s worldwide governing body.
“The International Tennis Federation condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its facilitation by Belarus,” a statement said.
“In addition to the cancellation of all I.T.F. events in those countries, the I.T.F. Board has today announced the immediate suspension of the Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation from I.T.F. membership and from participation in I.T.F. international team competition until further notice. The I.T.F. remains in close contact with the Ukraine Tennis Federation and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login