Last year, Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing at Wimbledon but in an interesting turn of events, a Polish ATP Challenger has asked players from these two countries not to enter their tournament.
The Kozerki Open Challenger taking place between August 14-19 has advised those not to sign up saying the following.
"Considering the situation in Ukraine and Russia's armed aggression on these lands, please do not sign up for the KOZERKI OPEN - ATP Challenger 100 tournament, players representing countries such as Russia and Belarus. Players representing Russia and Belarus will not be welcome at the tournament and in the Kozerki complex.
We do not guarantee places at the Academy for these people,"
The ATP may still yet intervene with them not banning these players but advising they don't turn up and isn't like Wimbledon in being a widespread ban. In that instance though, they were fined and stripped of ranking points so it will likely be the same here.
Top Pole and World No.1, Iga Swiatek said about her support for Ukraine in a previous interview.
"As a Pole, from the beginning of the war in Ukraine, I had an emotional approach to this matter. For me, it is important that we - athletes, public figures - have an impact on society. Our views shape others, and this can create change.
War for me is not about politics, but about people's suffering, and that's why I decided to speak out,"
