Tennis players from Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete on the ATP and WTA tours, but they are not allowed to engage in team competitions

The ATP and WTA, the men’s and women’s tennis governing bodies, announced on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian players will no longer be allowed to compete in team events, including the prestigious Davis Cup, as part of their condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions.

Russian and Belarussian players, on the other hand, will be able to compete on the circuit, including Grand Slam tournaments, but not under their nations’ names or flags.

“The WTA and ATP Boards have also decided to postpone the WTA/ATP joint event, which was set to take place in Moscow in October. The ITF Board of Directors has decided to suspend the membership of the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarus Tennis Federation “According to a statement

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the decision was made. “The international tennis governing bodies are unified in condemning Russia’s activities.” In a joint statement, the ATP and the WTA expressed their disappointment.

Tennis players who criticised the “unacceptable act of violence” against Ukraine were also praised by the ATP and WTA. Russian tennis players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, for example, spoke out against the war while competing on the tour last month in Mexico and Dubai.

“Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, the entire tennis community has felt a great sense of grief, astonishment, and sadness.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine, and we applaud the many tennis players who have spoken out against this heinous act of aggression. We join them in calling for an end to the violence and a return to peace “In a statement, the tennis governing bodies said.