Are Russians playing in the French Open?

Due to Russia and Belarus’ role in the Ukraine conflict, teams and athletes from the former two countries have been barred from competing in several sports or have had restrictions imposed on their participation.

Wimbledon has already announced that Russian and Belarusian players will be barred from the All-England Club for the June Grand Slam major.

According to French publication RMC Sport, the French Open organisers have decided not to follow Wimbledon’s lead and exclude Russian and Belarusian competitors from the Grand Slam tournament.

However, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo categorically stated that if any players express support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, sanctions will be imposed.

“It’s very complicated, and there’s probably no reasonable decision to be made,” Mauresmo stated, according to Tennis World USA. “We stick to what all European countries – and other nations – agreed to in March.”

National teams from Russia and Belarus are prohibited, although athletes as individuals are not, as long as they play in absolute neutrality. We’ll be really careful about it. “If any of them make pro-Putin statements in the media, there will undoubtedly be sanctions.”