Veronika Kudermetova is the latest player to share insight on the frosty relations between Russian and Belarusian players on tour since the war began.
Kudermetova began her Wimbledon campaign with a hard fought win over 7-6, 6-4 over Kaia Kanepi. Missing the tournament last year and being from the main nation involved, of course it was part of the questioning.
She spoke about the on tour dynamic and said that she makes an effort to say hello to Ukrainian players with mixed results.
"I say hi to them. I say hi. Some people, they reply; some not," she said in her post-match press conference.
In addition, it is for her about blurring the lines between politics and sport and that she is merely there to do a job.
"We are here just a tennis player. It's like that," she added.
But despite that, she was glad to be back at Wimbledon and seal the opening win in the end.
"I was happy to come back here... And the crowd was very good for me. They support. I think it doesn't matter from which country you are, we are here to compete and try to show our best," she said.
"I'm happy to win that match, but for sure I show not my best tennis, not my best level. But anyway, the final results, yeah, I win and I'm happy."
45 winners from Veronika Kudermetova as she steers to a solid 7-6, 6-4 win over the giant-killing Kaia Kanepi in the first round of Wimbledon! Brilliant serving from Veronika and earning just her second career Wimbledon main draw win. Let's gooo! [📸: Michael Regan/Getty]
