Mats Wilander backs Svitolina's proposal to the ATP and WTA calling it 'fair'

Mats Wilander believes the WTA and ATP should accept Elina Svitolina requesting neutrality for Russian and Belarusian players as it’s a ‘fair and temporary’ solution.

Ukrainian World number 15 Elina Svitolina recently delivered an ultimatum to tennis’ organising bodies when she announced she will not play against any Russian or Belarusian players should the WTA, ATP or ITF fail to take any action. Since the proposal was made the WTA event in Monterrey accepted her proposal and assured her they won't display any Russian insignia during her 1st round match against Potapova.

Mats Wilander was asked about that during a recent talk with Eurosport and he backed her initiative calling it fair:

“I don’t think you can put it on the Russian players themselves, but I do think that the professional tennis circuit, you’re not really representing your country as you are playing the tournament, you’re just representing yourself. It’s professional tennis and it’s not that you are winning for your country."

He further said:

“It’s not the Olympics, it’s not the Davis Cup, it’s not the Billie Jean King Cup. So I think the ATP and WTA can make a stance and say that you can play the tournament. We’re just going to remove any association with your country, there’s not going to be your country’s flag next to your name, there’s not going to be the name of your country after your name or before your name. And we’re not going to mention your country when we write about you as you have won or lost your match. Then it would be a choice that the Russian player themselves have to make. Are they okay to play under those circumstances?"

He concluded with:

“I think it’s fair and I think it’s a temporary situation. And I do think the ATP and the WTA can go out and make a stance. They don’t have to disagree or agree with any politics. Just disassociate the player with the country of Russia.”