Tennis Australia cautions players about competing in Russia
Tennis Australia (TA) is cautioning players against participating in events in Russia following reports of Davis Cup star Thanasi Kokkinakis competing in a lucrative exhibition in the country.
Professional tennis players from Russia and Belarus were excluded from Wimbledon in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Although men’s and women’s players can now compete on the ATP and WTA tours, they are not allowed to represent Russia or Belarus.
Despite advice from Tennis Australia, Kokkinakis decided to participate in an exhibition tournament in Russia.
Since the start of the war almost three years ago, very few athletes from Western nations have visited Russia, as the country has been largely isolated from the international sports scene.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Kokkinakis went against TA’s advice and took part in an exhibition in St. Petersburg organized by a state-owned energy company that has been blacklisted by the Australian government following the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin.
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The exhibition, held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, featured current and former Russian players, as well as seven international participants, including Kokkinakis and Spanish former Wimbledon semi-finalist Roberto Bautista Agut.
The event’s main sponsor was the state-owned Russian gas and oil company Gazprom, which has been under financial sanctions by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade since April 2022.
Kokkinakis’s management did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Tennis Australia issued a statement advising Australians not to engage in activities in Russia.
“For several years, Tennis Australia has shown support for Ukrainian athletes and has followed federal government policies regarding Russia. We continue to support and adhere to these guidelines,” the statement read.
“We recommend that athletes refrain from competing in Russia and are working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to educate players on the potential consequences of doing business in this region.”
Doubles great Todd Woodbridge criticized Kokkinakis during the Australian Open for withdrawing from the Adelaide International after participating in a pre-summer exhibition.
However, the 28-year-old, who has faced injuries throughout his career, defended his decision, stating that he is simply trying to earn a living like Woodbridge, who is a tennis commentator and game show host for Nine.
