"But for me, team events were always fun — I always loved it" - Potapova pleads Russia's inclusion in future team events

Anastasia Potapova has touched on the distinct lack of Russian involvement in team events, affecting her and the fellow Russian players.

Russia have been banned from competing in team events since the start of 2022, intertwining with the Ukraine war. The ATP, WTA and ITF were swift in placing the country under a strict ban. Russia and Belarus were not able to host tournaments while their participants had to compete under a neutral flag, unable to represent their own. They would also be barred from competing in team events such as the Davis Cuo, Billie Jean King Cup and the United Cup.

Overall, it is a big blow for the best Russian players in the world. The likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, Mirra Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova among others are unable to compete in these popular events. Potapova is another on the end of this. Like many of these players, she recently had the opportunity to once again play in Russia at the Northern Palmyra Trophies in St. Petersburg. While it will be good for her to return to home soil, Potapova has come out to discuss this, hoping that they will be once more able to compete in these coveted events.

"I think yes. Personally, for me. I was always happy to play on a team. I’m both a team player and an individual one. I can play on my own as well. But for me, team events were always fun — I always loved it. I hope that everything will change in the near future," Potapova told Championat.

Potapova will be eager for a return to the Billie Jean King Cup. The 24-year-old has played just two matches in the tournament between 2018 and 2019, winning one and losing one. The Russian Billie Jean King Cup team have enjoyed prior success in the 2000s. They won the event five times in total, four in between 2004-2008 and the final one coming in 2021, ahead of their suspension. The men in the Davis Cup have not had the chance to bolster the three titles they have collected in 2002, 2006 and also most recently in 2021.

Potapova has been competing alongside many other tennis professionals in the Northern Palmyra Trophies, a Russian exhibition event. Players have been heavily criticised for competing in the event amid links to the Ukraine war. However, it has not stopped a handful of Russians from competing. This includes Medvedev, whose team charged to victory. Alongside him was Khachanov, Veronika Kudermetova and Yulia Putintseva who were the Sphinxes team. They came up and defeated the Lion's team which boasted Alexander Bublik, Tallon Griekspoor, Potapova and Diana Shnaider. Out of the field, there were five Russians, two Kazakhstan natives and a Dutchman. While Kazakh duo Bublik and Putintseva were born in Russia, Tallon Griekspoor has no relation to the country, perplexing many in why he is competing. 

It turns out that he was competing alongside his partner, Potapova, despite strong pressure from the Dutch government to not compete. However, he firmly ignored this and made the trip over to compete. While he defended his decision tooth and nail, it was still slammed by many tennis fans in a controversial event.

For the players, it was a chance to get out on court and prepare for next year. It will commence in Australia with the United Cup, an event that many of these players will not be able to compete in duo to the ban implemented.