Daniil Medvedev ‘wants peace’ and hopes tennis doesn’t follow other sports by banning Russian players

ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev in action

His hands are tied and he can’t compete under the Russian name or flag, but Daniil Medvedev is determined to continue to promote the sport of tennis.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Tennis Federation, ATP and WTA announced that players from Russia and Belarus can only compete as individuals.

It was a more lenient approach as athletics, badminton, canoeing and rowing organisations banned athletes from those countries from competing at international events.

Tennis is finally united as sanctions against Russia and Belarus are announced

Medvedev will compete at the Indian Wells Masters this week and it will be the first time that he will be in action since the powers that be removed the Russian flag and name from tennis.

“It’s always tough to talk on this subject because I want to play tennis; play in different countries,” the world No 1 said.

“I want to promote my sport, I want to promote what I’m doing in my country for sure, and right now the situation is that that is the only way I can play.”

He added: “My message is always the same – I want peace all of the world. I think every tennis player is going to say the same.”

There is a chance that the tennis sporting bodies could follow in the footsteps of other codes and ban players from competing, but Medvedev hopes it doesn’t come to that.

“We never know – some sports made this decision, especially I would think the team sports,” he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

“Tennis is probably one of the most individual sports we have in the world. Everyone’s living in so many different places.

“There’s always a possibility, but I hope not.”

Daniil Medvedev

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