The war in Ukraine affected all Russian athletes, and most sports organizations decided to ban them from major competitions. After these decisions, Daria Kasatkina announced that she wanted to represent Switzerland, and Kazakhstan announced that many Russian tennis players had applied for a change of citizenship.

More than 30 Russian tennis players applied to represent Kazakhstan

Vice-President of the Tennis Federation of Kazakhstan, Yury Polskyi, said that more than 30 Russian players have applied to play under the colors of Kazakhstan.

“Today there are already more than 30 appeals, but their number is growing. These are mainly children aged 12 and over. There are also professional, adult players who would like to make such a transfer. But not everyone can, because if you played for one country’s senior team, in the Davis Cup or the Billie Jean King Cup, you can’t play for another country. This is prohibited by the rules of the International Tennis Federation.

We are colleagues, there is respect and cooperation in many aspects. For example, when such a situation occurred with Ukraine and Russia, we provided an opportunity for both Russians and Ukrainians to train in Kazakhstan, at our sites, in several cities. They came, organized meetings, participated in tournaments. There is such an interaction. Kazakhstan has always been neutral, we are for friendship, for peace between countries,” – Yuri Polskyquoted by Eurosport.

Olena Rybakina won Wimbledon “on her own”

Polsky also talked about Olena Rybakina, an athlete who has been playing for Kazakhstan in recent years, although she was born in Moscow. He stated that the player managed to win Wimbledon-2022 on his own and that the merits do not belong to the Federation (in Russia, this achievement was called “an amazing victory of Russian tennis”).

“Our position does not change, even if at one time it was viewed differently. Rybakina was not considered a talent in Russia, she had no support. And we helped her and believed in her. But what she has achieved, she has done through her own efforts and talent, with a lot of hard work and help from her coach and parents. This is her achievement. It is not “our product”, it is not something that is made in a factory, on a production line. Not everyone can become a champion at Wimbledon, this is her success” – Yuri Polsky.

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