Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina reveals WTA are considering proposal she made to Russian opponent

Elina Svitolina claims the Women’s Tennis Association are reportedly considering making Russian players compete under a neutral flag.

The Ukrainian world No.15 made headlines earlier this week when she announced she’d refuse to play against Russian opponent Anastasia Potapova at the Monterrey Open unless changes were made.

Svitolina is making a stand amid Russia’s invasion of her home country earlier this week and has called on tennis’ governing bodies to follow the likes of FIFA by handing out sanctions to Russian athletes.

The No.1 seed revealed upon drawing Potapova in the first round she tried to contact her team to suggest she play under a neutral flag.

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Having got no response from Potapova, she approached the WTA who held a meeting on Monday night and they are now said to be considering her request.

‘To be fair, I didn’t really think about the tournament at all … then when the draw came out, I was shocked,’ Svitolina told NBC Sports.

‘Straight away I had a thought that it’s impossible that I go on court seeing a Russian flag in front of me.

‘They [the WTA] are really considering to remove the flag and have all Russian players play under a neutral flag.’

Svitolina first took to Instagram to voice her concerns about playing Potapova following the draw with a heartfelt post in which she insisted she doesn’t blame Russian athletes for the actions of president Vladimir Putin.

‘Dear all, I believe the current situation requires a clear position from our organisations: ATP, WTA and ITF.

‘As such we – Ukrainian players – requested to ATP, WTA and ITF to follow the recommendations of the IOC to accept Russian or Belarusian nationals only as