International Tennis Federation rejects return of Russian and Belarusian national teams
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has voted against reinstating Russian and Belarusian national teams in international team competitions, leaving restrictions imposed following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in place.
The vote took place on October 13 during the ITF Conference and Annual General Meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan, according to the Ukrainian Tennis Federation.
Delegates considered resolutions that would have allowed Russian and Belarusian national teams to return to ITF team competitions and restored membership rights to the two countries' national tennis federations.
None of the proposed resolutions received the required support.
As a result, Russian and Belarusian national teams remain barred from ITF team competitions, while their national federations' membership rights remain suspended.
The restrictions have been in place since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Belarus supporting the invasion.
Russian and Belarusian players can still compete individually in international tournaments under neutral status, without representing their countries.
The Ukrainian Tennis Federation said it would continue working internationally to prevent Russia and Belarus from returning to national team competitions.
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