The head of the ATP, Andrea Gaudenzi, spoke out against the suspension of Russian and Belarusian tennis players.

" These guys didn't do anything wrong.. They played tennis all their lives. It's only fair that they should have the same opportunities as everyone else.. We also believe that they should be able to compete and have the right to vote, express their opinion.

We want these players to speak up, to be able to express their feelings, in particular, so that it reaches their own people, their own country.. For them to tell their own version of the story. In general, we stand for justice and freedom and, of course, against war, and we will continue to fight for these principles,"

Recall that on February 24, Russian President Putin made an urgent statement about conducting a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine, launching a large-scale invasion of Ukrainian cities..

After that, Russian sports began to plunge into complete isolation.. There are practically no federations left that have not excluded the Russians from their competitions.

Russian and Belarusian tennis players and tennis players compete under a neutral flag at WTA and ATP tournaments.

[see_also ids\u003d"

Earlier, the ATP fined British tennis one million dollars for the removal of Russians and Belarusians from Wimbledon.