The Women’s Tennis Association WTA & the ATP both have announced it will not impose sanctions on players taking part in an exhibition event in Russia this weekend.
ATP & WTA issue similar statements
The WTA came out with a statement which said “This event is not affiliated with the WTA nor is the WTA supportive of the event being held,” the governing body of women’s tennis stated. “Players compete on the WTA Tour as independent contractors and, at their discretion, and have the ability to participate in an exhibition without penalty during the off-season.”
The ATP also issued a statement on the similar lines Reuters reached out to the ATP for a comment. “ATP does not currently place restrictions during the off-season related to exhibition events and, as independent contractors, players are able to choose where they compete,” the ATP said in a statement to Reuters.
The second edition of the Northern Palmyra Trophies tournament, which is not affiliated to the WTA, will be held from 1 to 3 December in St Petersburg and features players from both the WTA and men’s ATP Tour. The event, which is sponsored by the Russian energy giant Gazprom, is being held while Russia continues its war with Ukraine.
Russia has been suspended from hosting official tennis tournaments but for the second consecutive year they are hosting an exhibition event.
Among the WTA players taking part are the former French and US Open quarter-finalist Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan, the Russian world No 28, Anastasia Potapova, and the former Roland Garros quarter-finalist Veronika Kudermetova, who is also from Russia.
The Lions team will be led by Khachanov and will also feature Potapova, Alexander Shevchenko, Viktoriya Tomova, Jasmine Paolini, and Laslo Djere. The other team is called The Sphinxes and Bautista Agut, Kudermetova, Dusan Lajovic, Diana Shnaider, Adrian Mannarino, and Yulia Putintseva have signed up to represent them.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, Russia Tennis players and Belarus alike have been suspended from hosting any ATP, WTA, or ITF tournaments. Also, Russia and Belarus have been suspended from team events such as the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and United Cup.
Amid the ongoing in Ukraine, many tennis fans believe it is unethical and morally wrong for players to set foot in Russia and take part in a tennis event in any capacity, and should instead stand in solidarity with Ukraine. According to the UN Human Rights Office, at least 10,000 civilians have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.