The WTA said that while it does not support an exhibition event being held in Russia this weekend players who take part in it will not be sanctioned.
The men’s ATP Tour said it also would not penalise its players for taking part in the second edition of the Northern Palmyra Trophies tournament, which will be held from Dec 1-3 in St Petersburg.
The event, which is sponsored by Russian energy giant Gazprom, is being held while Russia continues its war with Ukraine.
“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 said.
“Players compete on the WTA Tour as independent contractors and, at their discretion, have the ability to participate in an exhibition without penalty during the off-season.”
The ATP took a similar stance on the issue.
“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 told Reuters yesterday.
Among the WTA players taking part are former French and US Open quarter-finalist Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan, Russian world number 28 Anastasia Potapova and former Roland Garros quarter-finalist Veronika Kudermetova, who is also from Russia.
ATP players include world number 15 Karen Khachanov of Russia, Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain and France’s Adrian Mannarino, according to the event’s website.
Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian players in 2022, which prompted the tours to strip the event of ranking points that year, but allowed them to return as neutrals this year.
More than 10,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, the UN Human Rights Office said last week.
Sabalenka to play Brisbane in warm-up for AO defence
Aryna Sabalenka will launch preparations for the defence of her Australian Open crown by playing at the Brisbane International, organisers said yesterday.
Elena Rybakina – beaten by Sabalenka in the final in Melbourne at the start of this year – will also play at the December 31-January 7 Brisbane event. Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka was already named in the field as she returns to tennis.
“I’m excited about starting my 2024 Australian season in Brisbane,” world number two Sabalenka said in a statement released by organisers.
“Australia holds a special place in my heart after winning my first Grand Slam there.”
Tournament director Cam Pearson said he was looking forward to welcoming the Belarusian Sabalenka and Moscow-born Kazakh Rybakina, who is fourth in the world.
“We all remember the exciting Australian Open final the girls played at the start of the year,” he said. “That has really kicked off what is a pretty exciting rivalry between the two players.”
On the men’s side, fast-rising world number 17 Ben Shelton of the United States will join a draw that also includes three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray.
Pearson said he would welcome Australian Nick Kyrgios to the tournament if he recovers from injury in time.
“We would love to have him here, he’s a past champion and a fan favourite but he needs to do what’s best for him and his recovery,” he said. “If that means he’s playing in January, fantastic.”
Kyrgios had knee surgery in January and then aborted comeback plans at Wimbledon after tearing a ligament in his wrist.
