Former pro Alexandr Dolgopolov says tennis authorities should ban Russian players

Ukrainian former tennis player Alexandr Dolgopolov says tennis authorities are being "too passive" and should ban players from Russia while there is war in Ukraine.

The former pro was in Turkey on holiday when the invasion began but he quickly elected to return to his country in order to join the Army and fight the invasion. Since then, he has found his way back to Kyiv where he joined the territorial defence forces. In a talk with BBC Sport he called upon the governing bodies to band Russian players from playing events:

"Letting them play just by saying a few words that they are against war, I don't believe this is enough."

While he was speaking to BBC Sport the air raid sirens in the city were sounded, and he said it was "tough" to see "terrible things" happening in his country.

He once again reiterated his stance noting that it's nothing against the players personally:

"I know all those guys personally. I even played Daniil when I was playing. They are nice guys but no offence to them - I believe Russia should be blocked from any participant in any sport, in any culture. I think every Russian is responsible for their government and their president."

He further added:

"Just being neutral, taking away their flag, we know that is not changing anything. And even the sanctions that are happening now, even the destroyed economics it is not enough for [Russian President Vladimir Putin] to stop."