Accept Elina Svitolina’s request and make Russian players 'neutral', Mats Wilander tells ATP and WTA

The ATP and WTA should adhere to the IOC’s recommendations following Elina Svitolina’s request for Russian and Belarussian tennis players to be made “neutral athletes”, says Eurosport tennis expert Mats Wilander. In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, IOC guidance states that sports federations should remove Russian teams and athletes from events, or class them as neutral athletes in international competitions.

Ad/> The move prompted UEFA and FIFA to suspend Russian football teams until further notice, meaning as it stands the national teams will not be able to compete at the men’s 2022 World Cup or the women’s Euro 2022, while Spartak Moscow will be kicked out of the Europa League. WTA Monterrey‘Hostages of the situation’ — Potapova speaks out with Svitolina match still in doubt2 HOURS AGO Svitolina issued her own ultimatum on Monday, stating she would refuse to play a Russian and Belarussian opponent until the WTA classes them as neutral – meaning “no national symbols, colours, flags or anthems should be displayed” per IOC.

The Ukrainian, whose match against Anastasia Potapova at the Monterrey Open on Tuesday remains in doubt, does not want Russian and Belarussian tennis stars to be suspended – a stance supported by seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander. Wilander told Eurosport: “It's a fair suggestion.

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.