World No.13 Veronika Kudermetova has confirmed that she used to train at a facility with close links to the Russian army but is now no longer doing so.
The 26-year-old used to practice at the CSKA Moscow which is a club known as the “Red Army Team” due to its links to the military. The training programme is regarded as one of the most prestigious systems created by the Russian Ministry Of Defense and recently celebrated its 100th birthday. The club claims to have produced 463 Olympic gold medallists for the Soviet Union and Russia.
However, some are calling for athletes linked to the CSKA to be banned from international competition due to the war in Ukraine. Recently the Ukrainian Judo team withdrew from the World Championships due to the Russian participants having connections to the Russian army or related organizations, including the CSKA.
Amid the ongoing war, Kudermetova has stated that she is not receiving any funding from the CSKA. Her remarks come after recent calls from the Ukrainian tennis federation (FTU) to ban those with links to the club, specifically naming the tennis player in their statement.
“When I was young, I was practising there,” BBC Sport quoted Kudermetova as telling reporters in Madrid.
“It was my tennis club – when I was in Moscow I practised there, but for the moment I am not practising there.
“I don’t have a contract with them, I don’t have a salary from them – for the moment we are separate.”
It is unclear when Kudermetova ended her ties with the CSKA. Last December a document published on social media by Ukranian tennis portal BTU listed her as being a member at that time. However, this hasn’t been confirmed by Ubitennis.
Besides CSKA, Kudermetova continues to play on the Tour wearing the logo of her sponsor Tatneft. A Russian oil and gas company that has been sanctioned by the European Union for supplying the Russian army. She is currently allowed to do so on the WTA Tour but it could be a different story at Wimbledon who have stated that players are prohibited from showing support for the Russian regime. Those who are receiving state funding are also banned from playing.
“For the moment, I don’t break a rule,” Kudermetova commented.
“For Wimbledon, yes, I know we are not allowed to wear badges from our country. I agree with that, but for the moment I can wear that badge.”
“If I would like to play Wimbledon, I need to take the badge off,” she added.
Kudermetova is currently playing at the Madrid Open where she has reached the quarter-finals. She will play third seed Jessica Pegula on Wednesday.
