Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will be able to play the 2022 US Open but must do so under a neutral flag, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Tuesday.
The measure is announced after the Grand Slams, the International Tennis Federation and the ATP and WTA circuits condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus.
The United States Tennis Association said that each Grand Slam has had to deal with “unique circumstances”, and in its case it will allow “all qualified players, regardless of their nationality, to compete”.
The American organization joined in its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine to other organizations such as the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the ATP and the WTA.
He also supported the ITF’s ban on Russia and Belarus in international team competitions and the ITF’s directive for players from those countries to compete under a neutral flag.
The organization of the tournament, which takes place in August in Flushing Meadows (New York), explained that it will work with the players and their circuits so that they use the event as a “platform” to promote their humanitarian program “Tennis Plays for Peace”, and also will soon announce new financial aid for Ukraine.
