World No.1 Daniil Medvedev may have to provide assurances that he does not support Russian president Vladimir Putin if he is to compete at this year’s Wimbledon, the British sports minister has said.
Nigel Huddleston said on Tuesday he would not be comfortable with a “Russian athlete flying the Russian flag” and winning the grass court grand slam in London.
“Many countries have agreed that they will not allow representatives from Russia to compete. There are also visa issues as well. When it comes to individuals, that is more complex,” Huddleston said at a select committee in parliament when asked about Medvedev competing at Wimbledon.
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“Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed or enabled.”
Huddleston said many athletes have multiple or dual citizenships and would be willing to compete as “non-aligned, non-flag bearing entities” but that the situation demanded further action.
“We need some potential assurance that they are not supporters of Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines,” he added.
Huddleston said he was discussing the issue with Wimbledon organisers, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC).
Medvedev rose to No.1 in the men’s world rankings last month, although he is set to lose top spot to Novak Djokovic following a third-round loss at Indian Wells on Monday.
Russian and Belarusian players are allowed to play on the elite ATP and WTA Tours but not under the name or flag of their countries. The decision followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last month, with Belarusian assistance.
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