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ITF says tennis players from Belarus and Russia to continue playing as neutrals despite IOC shift
TL;DR
The ITF will maintain its neutral status for Belarusian and Russian tennis players despite the IOC's recent shift allowing Belarus athletes to compete under their national identity. Aryna Sabalenka and Daniil Medvedev will continue to play without national flags as their countries remain suspended from international competitions.
Key points
- ITF maintains neutral status for Belarusian and Russian players
- IOC allows Belarus athletes to compete under national identity
- Sabalenka and Medvedev continue to play without national flags
- Belarus and Russia banned from team competitions
- ITF will review Belarus Tennis Federation's status in October
Mentioned in this story
International Tennis FederationInternational Olympic Committee
Aryna SabalenkaDaniil MedvedevDavis CupBillie Jean King Cup
Italian Open Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, prepares to serve the ball to Barbora Krejcikova, of Czechia, during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Italian Open Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, prepares to serve the ball to Barbora Krejcikova, of Czechia, during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Spain Tennis Madrid Open
Daniil Medvedev of Russia celebrates at the end of the match against Nicolai Budkov Kjaer of Norway during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LONDON (AP) — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and former men's No. 1 Daniil Medvedev will continue to play under neutral status after the International Tennis Federation announced Friday that it will “not change its existing position” over suspensions for Belarus and Russia. In a political shift Thursday, and not be vetted for neutral status, even as continues. “The International Tennis Federation confirms that the IOC’s announcement does not change its existing position regarding the Belarus and Russian Tennis Federations’ suspensions, which remain in place,” the ITF said. “The membership status of the Belarus Tennis Federation will be considered at the ITF Annual General Meeting in October by the ITF’s voting member nations,” the international federation added. Sabalenka, who is from Belarus, is a four-time Grand Slam winner. Medvedev, who is from Russia, won the U.S. Open in 2021 and is now ranked No. 9. Since the war began, tennis players from Belarus and Russia have had to play with their countries unnamed and without flags next to their names. Both countries have also been banned from the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and other ITF team competitions; and tennis events in the countries were canceled. \\_ AP tennis:
Q&A
Why are Belarusian and Russian tennis players still playing as neutrals?
The ITF has decided to uphold its suspensions of the Belarus and Russian Tennis Federations, requiring players from these countries to compete under neutral status.
What did the IOC announce regarding Belarusian athletes?
The IOC announced that Belarusian athletes can compete with their national identity without being vetted for neutral status, a shift from previous policies.
What are the consequences for Belarus and Russia in tennis competitions?
Both countries are banned from the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and other ITF team competitions, and tennis events in these countries have been canceled.