French Open to allow Russian and Belarusian players
The French Tennis Federation are yet to release an official statement for the tournament, which begins May 22
Russian and Belarusian players are set to be allowed to play at the French Open after Roland Garros organisers decided not to follow the lead of Wimbledon.
Sports stars from Russia and Belarus continue to face uncertain futures after Vladimir Putin's widely-condemned military assault on neighbouring Ukraine back in February. Millions have fled the country, and the European response has spilled over into the sporting arena on various fronts.
Last week, Wimbledon officials announced such players will be barred from taking part in the prestigious tournament, which begins in June. It means the likes of US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, World No. 4 Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 8 Andrey Rublev will not be playing the grass-court Grand Slam.
However, Roland Garros will not impose the same restrictions as the grass-court tournament, according to French outlet RMC Sport. It means Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to compete next month, although it will likely be under a neutral flag and their anthems will not be played if they triumph.
The French Tennis Federation are yet to release an official statement for the tournament, which begins May 22.
Novak Djokovic and Barbora Krejcikova are the defending champions on the Parisian clay.
Russia and Belarus were booted out of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team tournaments following the invasion of Ukraine, although players were allowed to continue playing individually as neutral athletes. Wimbledon instead opted to fully ban the players, which received widespread condemnation.
