French Open organisers have no plans to mirror Wimbledon potentially banning Daniil Medvedev
French Open organisers, the French Tennis Federation (FTF), have confirmed they will adhere to the current rulings that Russian and Belarusian players must compete as ‘neutral athletes’ instead of implementing a ban or conditional entry.
Last month, in the aftermath of Russia invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ support of Russia, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that Russian and Belarusian players must compete as ‘neutral athletes.’
This means that Russian and Belarusian players are unable to show any reference to or insignia representing their home nations.
However, as the war continues to rage on, many have criticised this measure for being too weak and have called for tennis to introduce an outright ban until the war subsides.
One major tournament considering such an approach is Wimbledon as United Kingdom sports minister Nigel Huddleston MP suggested Russian players “provide written assurances” that they do not support and are not in collusion with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Whilst the three main tours run by the ATP, WTA and ITF would be unable to apply an outright ban over fears of being taken to court, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) were advised that their independent status means they boast more freedom over how they operate.
However, the FTF have confirmed that they will adhere to the ITF’s rulings instead of mirroring Wimbledon and applying conditions for entry or outright bans.
Moreover, it remains unclear how the US Open will act if the war is still ongoing by the time the Flushing Meadows event gets underway in September.
US Open champion and World number two Daniil Medvedev may miss the French Open regardless as he recovers from surgery on a small hernia.
Although, other players that would be affected by a potential ban would be men’s World number eight Andrey Rublev and women’s World number five Aryna Sabalenka.
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