Controversial Russian exhibition funded by state owned energy giant returns with Medvedev, Shnaider, Kudermetova, Bublik among top names involved

An exhibition tournament that has received criticism in the past in St Petersburg will return again between November 29-30. Known as the Northern Palmyra Trophies (the NPT), it is a tournament bankrolled by Gazprom, the state oil giant.

The team exhibition tournament takes place every year and courts controversy due to ongoing war in Ukraine with Thanasi Kokkinakis last year being strongly advised not to play in the event due to Gazprom being blacklisted by the Australian federal government.

Kokkinakis was listed on their website as being involved despite advice from Tennis Australia. Albeit he still did play in the tournament which fills the gap left by the lack of ATP and WTA tournament in the country due to the war.

“For several years, Tennis Australia has publicly and privately supported Ukraine athletes and sought and abided by federal government policy and recommendations in regard to Russia. This support and compliance continues,” they said.

“We advise athletes against competing in Russia and are in ongoing discussions with DFAT to provide education to players about the potential ramifications for doing business in this area.”

This year's line-up features Daniil Medvedev as the top name alongside Alexander Bublik who has had a fantastic year moving up to World No.11. The Kazakh has won four titles on all three surfaces. Veronika Kudermetova who had to stop wearing Tatneft sponsorship at Wimbledon before is also involved as is Karen Khachanov. Diana Shnaider also plays while Anastasia Potapova and Yulia Putintseva also take their place in the field. Mikhail Youzhny and Tallon Griekspoor have also been confirmed on posters.

The latter was due to play last year and is the only player from outside of Russia and Kazakhstan to be involved. Albeit the Dutchman has been romantically linked for some time to Anastasia Potapova who has been seen at his matches and also news broke this week of Potapova's Instagram pics sneakily including a reflection of him in the Maldives seemingly confirming by accident their romance.

Former pros in Janko Tipsaravic and Mansour Bahrami will serve as team captains. Medvedev has long been courted by the tournament supposedly and was due to play last year potentially but finally does this time around. All others have either signed up before or have played the event.

Official ATP and WTA tournaments have been halted for some time and were organised by the same agency behind this tournament, Formula TX so it is their way of keeping tennis in the country. Gazprom has been the main sponsor of said event since the 2022 edition. Tournament PR was previously managed by Vera Podguzova, a relative of Vladimir Putin.

ATP and WTA cannot intervene in the event in regards to sanctions or penalties on these events meaning they are free to do as they please as they are not official events in the eyes of both governing bodies. So while they are frowned upon by Tennis Australia for instance, no ban can be issued for playing in the events.