Daniil Medvedev and compatriots must sign written declaration that they don’t support Vladimir Putin to play Wimbledon

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has reiterated the stance that athletes from Russia and Belarus will have to give assurances that they don’t support the Russian and Belarusian governments.

Following Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine in February, tennis players from Russia and Belarus can only play as individuals on the ATP and WTA Tours as well as ITF events. It was a softer approach than other sports as athletics, canoeing and badminton authorities banned athletes from those countries from competing at international events.

However, Huddleston announced earlier in March that the UK government would go a step further as athletes will have to give assurances that they don’t support Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday he went a step further as he confirmed written assurances will have to be given. He said:

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"I have had a good meeting with various governing bodies about what we are doing in terms of sanctions and bans for individual athletes. We did make the request to governing bodies relating to individual sports people that if they [Russians or Belarusians] wish to participate in a UK sport, they are independent and neutral – and genuinely so."

He further said:

“We wish to get the assurance of that in a written declaration that they are not receiving money from Putin, Russia or Belarus. That they will not be making supportive comments of Putin, Russia or Belarus. We are requesting governing bodies or individual events seek that assurance in advance if they are going to allow neutrals to play."