Daniil Medvedev had to remove the Russian flag from his social media profiles in order to avoid the possibility of being banned from the sport, according to his country’s federation and media.
Earlier this week the governing bodies of tennis announced that all Russian and Belarussian players will participate in events under a neutral status following the invasion of Ukraine. The country’s federations have also been suspended from all team competitions by the ITF and the combined ATP/WTA event in Moscow set to take place in October has been suspended. The rules came into place following a recommendation made by the International Olympic Committee in response to the conflict.
In recent days it has been noted that Medvedev had removed his flag from social media. Furthermore, Karen Khachanov has also done the same along with the Armenian flag. Whilst there was no specific mention in the statement issued by tennis officials, news agency RIA Novosti reports that rules concerning the removal of the Russian flag also applies to a player’s social media accounts. Although this is yet to be officially confirmed.
“Medvedev and Khachanov were forced to remove the Russian flag from their profiles under the threat of being banned from the tour,” an ATP source reportedly told RIA Novosti.
Shamil Tarpischev is the president of the Russian Tennis Federation. Earlier this week he told Sport Express that it is a ‘necessary measure’ to remove the flag when questioned about Medvedev’s Instagram account.
“I haven’t talked to Daniil yet. But now there are such sanctions, the IOC prohibits the use of our Russian flag. Even on social media. This is a necessary measure,” Tarpishchev said.
Tennis is not the only sport to take such an approach when it comes to social media. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, which is the organization that oversees Formula One, has confirmed that Russian drivers will not be allowed to display their country’s flag on their accounts if they wish to take part in their events.
The Ukranian Tennis Federation had previously called for all Russian and Belarussian players to be banned from competing in a letter sent to both Tennis Europe and the ITF. Meanwhile, Germany’s Eva Lys has claimed that some Russian players were mocking those affected by the conflict during an ITF event in Kazakhstan. Lys, who was born in Ukraine, says she is against the idea of excluding players all together.
“Many Russian players who are here show disrespect to those affected by the Ukraine war. They laugh about it, make fun of it. Some are demonstratively putting on tracksuits in the Russian national colors,” she said.
Both Medvedev and Khachanov are yet to comment on the matter.
