WTA to sports world – our players can compete at tournament in Russia without sanction

The International Olympic Committee has recommended that international sports federations refrain from hosting events in Russia or Belarus since March 2022. The WTA is an IOC-recognized federation that organizes the Olympic tennis tournament.

Sponsored by Russian energy giant Gazprom, the event features players from both the WTA and men’s ATP Tour, is being held as Russia continues its war against Ukraine.

Professional tennis was the first IOC-recognized sport to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete following Russia’s full-scale war of aggression on Ukraine, doing so even before IOC President Thomas Bach called on international federations to pave the way for so-called “neutral athletes” from the nations to return to international competition.

The WTA justified its decision in comments made to The Guardian on Nov. 28.

“This event is not affiliated with the WTA nor is the WTA supportive of the event being held. Players compete on the WTA Tour as independent contractors and, at their discretion, and have the ability to participate in an exhibition without penalty during the offseason.”

Representatives for the men’s ATP Tour did not respond to the Guardian’s request for comment.

Among the WTA players taking part are Kazakhstan’s former French and US Open quarterfinalist Yulia Putintseva, Russia’s world No, 28, Anastasia Potapova, and Russia’s former Roland Garros quarterfinalist Veronika Kudermetova.

ATP players include Russia’s world No. 15, Karen Khachanov, Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, and France’s Adrian Mannarino, according to the event’s website.

Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players in 2022, prompting the tours to strip the event of ranking points that year. Wimbeldon allowed the players to return as neutrals this year.