Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka spoke out against the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sports fields.
Daniil Medvedev playing in Mexico against Rafael Nadal in February. EPA / AOP
Daniil Medvedev rose past the tennis ATP list last week to number one on the ATP list Novak Djokovicin.
Russia’s 26-year-old star player is allowed to continue his games as Russian and Belarusian athletes have not been excluded from competitions by tennis associations.
Vladimir Putin however, the consequence of the war of aggression has been that the top Russian and Belarusian tennis players play without state symbols.
– It is difficult to talk about this. I want to play tennis and I want to play it in several different countries, Medvedev from Moscow said during the Indian Wells ATP tournament in the United States.
Several tennis players are currently wearing ribbons colored in the flag of Ukraine.
Many sports and federations have completely excluded Russians and Belarusians.
– This solution (complete exclusion) can be seen especially in team sports. There’s an opportunity in tennis too, but I hope it doesn’t, Medvedev sighed.
“Feels bad”
Aryna Sabalenka faced Iga Swiatek of Poland in Qatar in February. AOP
Top three on the women’s WTA list Aryna Sabalenka plays like Medvedev without country codes.
Sabalenka was born in Minsk. Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s hostilities has meant that Belarusians are not allowed to play sports either.
Sabalenka continues to play without country codes, but is aware that the decisions of the tennis associations may change.
– I feel really bad when the Ukrainians have lost their homes. Unfortunately, it is not in my control. I just hope for peace, Sabalenka said.
The top tennis players are now the few Russians and Belarusians still seen on international sports venues.
– We get to play after all. Yes, I understand the reasons for (anonymity) in the background, Sabalenka continued.
The BBC writes that according to Sabalenka, the change in the atmosphere is felt in and around the games. He doesn’t feel like he’s encountered hostility, but there’s less joy in the atmosphere among the players than before.