The Russian Daniil Medvedev hopes that the sanction imposed on tennis players from Russia and Belarus for the invasion of Ukraine will not be extended as in other sports and prevent them from playing, while the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka showed her regret with something that is not under his “control”. The number 1 in the world is finalizing his preparation to play the Masters 1,000 in Indian Wells, which will not be able to play under his flag or under the name of his country as required by the international tennis authorities due to the invasion of Russia to Ukraine.
“It’s always difficult to talk about this topic because I want to play tennis, play in different countries. I want to promote my sport and for sure promote what I’m doing in my country, and right now the situation is that that’s the only way I can do it. that I can play it,” Medvedev told the media at the Indian Wells tournament (United States) about a punishment that is limited to playing without any symbology of his country and as neutrals.
“I hope that this measure is temporary. I am waiting for the moment when I can play with my flag again,” added the Muscovite, who opens his status as world number 1 in the first Masters 1,000 of the season. Medvedev will play the Indian Wells Masters 1,000 for the fifth time, in which he has so far never passed the round of 16.
The Russian acknowledged that there is still the possibility of a broader sanction, although he hopes that decision will not be made: “You never know, some sports have already made this decision, especially I think team sports, but tennis is probably one of the most individual sports that we have in the world and where everyone lives in many different places. There is always a possibility, but I hope not,” he stressed.
Aryna Sabalenka
For her part, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, number 2 in the world, was “very sad and very bad for the Ukrainian citizens who lost their homes in the war.” “Unfortunately, this is something that is not under my control and I only hope for peace,” she confessed.
“At least we can play. I understand (the ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis players), but it is not under our control. We also feel very sad and very bad about this situation,” said the top seed in Indian Wells.
