Elina Svitolina urges Russian tennis stars to denounce Ukraine invasion

Former tennis world number three Elina Svitolina has asked the WTA and ATP to ban Russian and Belarusian players who have failed to denounce the invasion of Ukraine.

She made the request just hours before Wimbledon confirmed Russian and Belarusian stars would be prohibited from playing at this year’s Grand Slam.

But neither the ATP or WTA have enforced a blanket ban at their events. Instead, players have been to compete in a neutral capacity, without displaying their national flag or having their national anthem played.

Svitolina, who was born in Ukraine, revealed she wanted Russian and Belarusian players banned from all ATP and WTA events unless they denounced the invasion, which began in February.

“We noticed that some Russian and Belarusian players at some point vaguely mentioned the war, but never clearly stating that Russia and Belarus started it on the territory of Ukraine,” her statement read.

“The very silence of those who choose to remain that way right now is unbearable as it leads to the continuation of murder in our homeland.

“We demand that the WTA, ATP and ITF make sure that players who represent Russia and Belarus answer the following questions:

“1. Do you support Russia’s and Belarus invasion in Ukraine’s territory and as a result of that the war started by those countries?

“2. Do you support Russia’s and Belarus military activities in Ukraine?

“3. Do you support Putin’s and Lukashenko’s regime?

“If applicable, we demand to exclude and ban any Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in any events.”

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