Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Barbora Krejcikova, of Czechia, throughout their match on the Italian Open tennis match in Rome, on Might 7, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
The Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF) mentioned Friday that the IOC’s transfer to elevate restrictions on Belarusian athletes doesn’t have an effect on Belarus’s continued ban from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.
In an announcement despatched to AFP, world tennis’s governing physique mentioned its stance remained unchanged regardless of the Worldwide Olympic Committee’s resolution to elevate its ban on Belarus.
“The Worldwide Tennis Federation confirms that the IOC’s announcement doesn’t change its present place concerning the Belarus and Russian Tennis Federations’ suspensions, which stay in place,” the ITF wrote.
Athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus had been banned from worldwide competitors following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though some had been permitted to compete as neutrals.
Restrictions on Russian athletes stay in place underneath IOC guidelines.
The ITF mentioned its place on Belarus could be reviewed later within the 12 months.
“The membership standing of the Belarus Tennis Federation shall be thought-about on the ITF Annual Common Assembly in October by the ITF’s voting member nations in accordance with ITF constitutional course of,” the organisation mentioned.
The ITF oversees main worldwide workforce competitions such because the Davis Cup and the BJK Cup. It additionally organises Olympic tennis occasions at the side of the IOC.
The participation of Russian and Belarusian gamers on the skilled tour relies on selections taken individually by the ATP, the WTA and the organisers of the 4 Grand Slam tournaments.
World primary Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday mentioned she hoped she would be capable to play tennis once more underneath the Belarusian flag.
“For me representing such a small nation, and the arduous work that I needed to do to get to the highest, it is similar to, guys, it is unimaginable, it is a small nation, and to make all of it the way in which right here, it means lots to me,” mentioned Sabalenka.
“I might be tremendous proud to characterize Belarus.”
Revealed – Might 09, 2026 04:52 am IST
