Tennis: Ukrainian Federation Demands Russia Ban, Medvedev’s Ranking Under Threat

Russian star Daniil Medvedev reached the pinnacle of men’s tennis when he became the ATP’s men’s world number one on Monday, however, he could be stripped of that title because of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Medvedev is only the third Russian man to top the standings and the first player outside Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to hold the top spot in 18 years.

• Read more: ATP rankings: Medvedev replaces Djokovic as world number one

But with the sporting world uniting its in condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Medvedev’s meteoric rise to the top could be short-lived.

On Sunday the Ukrainian Tennis Federation urged the sport’s governing body, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), to immediately expel Russia and Belarus from the organisation and ban Russia from team and individual tournaments.

In a letter, the Ukrainian federation described the actions of Russia and Belarus in Ukraine over the past four days as “unprecedented, cynical and bloody.”

“Civilians are dying, including women and children; civilian infrastructure is collapsing. This is a full-scale war that will push our country back decades,” the letter said, adding that the goal of Russia’s invasion was “extermination.”

“Russia and Belarus do not have the right not only to hold international competitions on their territory, but also to participate in all ITF team and individual tournaments abroad,” the letter added.

Ukrainian Tennis Federation board member Seva Kevlych said Medvedev and other Russian players should be barred from Grand Slam tournaments.

She also said that the Russian Tennis Federation should be barred from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean Cup team events of which they are reigning champions.

“Let (Medvedev) play on the ATP Tour but Grand Slams are ITF events and if you lose the possibility to play in Grand Slams he could never be world number one,” Kevlych said.

“He shouldn’t play in the French Open, US Open and Wimbledon. I don’t care that Russia is the holder of the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. It would shame them when the holders are kicked out of these events.”

“For Daniil to not represent the (Russian team) it’s not a big penalty for him but it’s a big shame for him. To represent a team with no flag, no anthem and no history in a team event, probably it would make him do the right thing,” Kevlych concluded.

Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.