(CNN)Despite Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players will be allowed to compete at the 2022 US Open, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Tuesday.
The USTA’s decision comes after Wimbledon became the first elite tennis event to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes. The men’s ATP tours and women’s WTA tours later stripped the Grand Slam of its ranking points in response to the move.
Rather than follow Wimbledon’s example, the US Open will adopt the approach the ATP and WTA have followed since the invasion, where Russian and Belarusian players compete under a neutral flag.
As a result, current world No. 1 and reigning men’s singles champion Daniil Medvedev is able to defend his title. He defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the final last year to claim his first Grand Slam.
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who reached the women’s semifinals last year, is also allowed to compete.
In an interview with The Associated Press, USTA CEO Lew Sherr said the decision was made because of “a concern that individual athletes will be held accountable for the actions and decisions of their governments.”
A statement released by the USTA condemned the invasion of Ukraine and recognized that “each organization has had to deal with unique circumstances that affect its decisions.”
“Based on our own circumstances, the USTA will allow all eligible players, regardless of nationality, to compete in the 2022 US Open.”
The USTA pledged to provide “significant financial support” to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
“USTA will work with the players and both tours to use the US Open as a platform to advance the humanitarian efforts of the Tennis Plays for Peace program,” the statement added.
The US Open begins August 29 in New York City.
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