War in Ukraine: Alexandr Dolgopolov says tennis authorities should ban Russian players

Ukrainian former tennis player Alexandr Dolgopolov says tennis authorities are being «too passive» and should ban players from Russia while there is war in Ukraine.

The 33-year-old told BBC Sport the decision to allow Russian players, such as men's world number one Daniil Medvedev, to continue playing as neutrals and removing their flag «is not changing anything».

«Letting them play just by saying a few words that they are against war, I don't believe this is enough,» he said.

Former world number 13 Dolgopolov has returned to Kyiv to join Ukraine's territorial defence unit and has had recent military training to learn how to use weapons.

While he was speaking to BBC Sport the air raid sirens in the city were sounded, and he said it was «tough» to see «terrible things» happening in his country.

Russia and Belarus have been suspended from international tennis team competitions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

But the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and both the ATP and WTA tours have allowed players from both countries to continue competing as neutral individuals «at this time».

Medvedev has said he wants peace in the world, and his compatriot Andrey Rublev, the world number seven, signed a camera lens with a «no war please» message at a recent tournament in Dubai.

But Dolgopolov said he was disappointed by the stance being taken by tennis authorities.

«I know all those guys personally. I even played Daniil when I was playing. They are nice guys but no offence to them — I believe Russia should be blocked from any participant in any sport, in any culture,» he said.

«I think every Russian is responsible for their government and their president.

»Just being neutral, taking away their flag, we know that is not changing