Chris Evert on Daniil Medvedev and Russian players - ‘We can’t begin to understand how it’s affecting them‘

Eurosport expert Chris Evert said it is difficult to understand how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is affecting the nation's tennis players. World No.

2 Daniil Medvedev and other Russian and Belarusian athletes face being prevented from playing at this year’s Wimbledon tournament if they fail to denounce the invasion. Ad/> Speaking to a DCMS select committee, UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston said the government would only allow individual Russian players to compete if they offered assurances they were not “supporters of [Russian President] Vladimir Putin”.

ATP Miami'Big challenge for me' — Murray sets up Medvedev clash after beating Delbonis in MiamiAN HOUR AGO Medvedev, who is due to take part in the second round of the Miami Open against Andy Murray on Saturday, had already expressed concerns that he may be prevented from playing as the ATP and WTA condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a joint statement. The 26-year-old said he wanted “peace in all countries” when questioned about his home nation’s military aggression, adding that he hoped any ban would be temporary, and that he is waiting for the moment when Russian players will again be able to carry the flag next to their names.

Evert told Eurosport that, while Medvedev deserves to be at the very top of his game on the court, it is hard to understand the mindset of Russian and Belarusian players off it. «He's Russian and we don't know how the players are affected, who live in Russia, or who live in Belarus,» Evert said.

/> «We don't know, we can't begin to understand how it's affecting them with their families in those countries directly or indirectly in harm's way. »It's just tough to judge how these players are playing right now with just the circumstances