Australian Open rejects calls to ban top players

Tennis Australia is lasting by its presumption to let Russian and Belarusian players to vie astatine this year's Australian Open, contempt calls for them to beryllium banned.

Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, issued a connection calling connected TA to travel Wimbledon's pb and prohibition Russian and Belarusian players, successful the aftermath of the penetration of Ukraine.

"I volition beryllium seeking a gathering with the seat and CEO of Tennis Australia to enactment my government's presumption and to recognize wherefore Tennis Australia has not followed the pb of Wimbledon," Myroshnychenko said.

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"Every rocket onslaught against Ukraine takes spot lone due to the fact that Russian citizens are supporting Putin's regime.

"There is nary spot for neutrality successful the look of genocidal warfare crimes."

Some of the sport's biggest names, including two-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev, would beryllium affected by a ban.

In a connection to Wide World of Sports, TA condemned the penetration of Ukraine.

"Tennis Australia stands agreed with the planetary governing bodies of tennis - the expansive slams, the ATP and WTA Tours and the ITF - successful its condemnation of Russia's actions and its unprovoked penetration of Ukraine," it said.

"The governing bodies of tennis issued a connection successful March 2022 expressing shock, distress and sadness, on with a pledge to supply ongoing enactment for the radical of Ukraine.

Russian Daniil Medvedev shows his emotions during the US Open last against Novak Djokovic. (Getty)

"Russia and Belarus were instantly suspended from each tennis squad contention and authoritative WTA and ATP Tour events successful those countries were cancelled."

TA noted that Russian and Belarusian players volition request to vie arsenic neutral players successful Melbourne.

"Players from Russia and Belarus are lone capable to vie successful planetary tennis events arsenic individuals – and without flags oregon state designation – which volition beryllium the lawsuit for Australian Open 2023," it said.

"Tennis Australia is acting successful accordance with the presumption and principles outlined successful the connection by the Australian Sports Minister, who antecedently joined much than 30 counterparts from like-minded nations to amusement solidarity with the radical of Ukraine.

"Tennis Australia continues to supply enactment to Ukraine and its assemblage and players, peculiarly done the planetary Tennis Plays for Peace initiative, which includes a foundation lawsuit anterior to the Australian Open."

Speaking successful Adelaide, Medvedev wouldn't beryllium drawn connected the controversy.

"I tin conscionable travel the rules arsenic a player; it has ever been the same," Medvedev said.

"When we were banned from Wimbledon, I couldn't play, truthful I didn't play. I'm a tennis player, truthful each the tournaments I tin play each implicit the world, I'm blessed to play.

"I'm blessed to amusement up to play for the fans. That's the lone happening I tin do."

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