The Uzbekistan Tennis Federation is thrilled to welcome Polina Kudermetova as they described it as "a major increase" for Uzbek tennis and one thing that may assist the sport additional develop within the nation.
Since Monday, the Uzbek flag has been displayed on the 22-year-old's WTA web page. That clearly indicated that the Moscow-born participant determined to alter her sporting nationality and begin representing Uzbekistan.
Two weeks earlier than Kudermetova took the Uzbekistan passport, Kamilla Rakhimova did the identical. Earlier this 12 months, Maria Timofeeva additionally switched her allegiance to Uzbekistan.
There had been a couple of different circumstances of Russian born-players altering their sporting nationality as Daria Kasatkina has been taking part in beneath the Australian flag since April, whereas Anastasia Potapova now represents Austria.
Kudermetova, who has 9 titles on the lower-tier and reached her first WTA main-level last in Brisbane earlier this 12 months, is presently ranked at No. 104 on the planet. That makes her the second-best-ranked Uzbek participant – simply after world No. 97 Rakhimova.
Uzbekistan TF: Kudermetova's transfer is a major increase for our tennis
"Polina received 4 trophies, profitable the W25 Jerusalem, W25 Istanbul, W25 Raanana, and W15 Kazan tournaments, all on laborious courts. She additionally beforehand received titles in Kazan and Antalya, demonstrating versatility and consistency on each laborious and clay courts. These victories verify Kudermetova's standing because the strongest consultant of the brand new technology and make her a key increase to Uzbek tennis," the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation mentioned in a press release.
"Kudermetova's transfer is a major increase for Uzbek tennis. She is the fifth athlete to resolve to compete beneath the Uzbek flag. Beforehand, Kamilla Rakhimova, Maria Timofeeva, Alexandra Barmicheva, and Laima Vladson modified their sporting citizenship. Polina's arrival marks an vital step within the growth of girls's tennis in Uzbekistan and strengthens the nationwide group forward of main worldwide competitions."
Kudermetova made the headlines firstly of the 2025 season when she reached the Brisbane last as a qualifier, and even received a set in opposition to Aryna Sabalenka earlier than the world No. 1 bought the job performed in three units.
