ITF Confirms Belarus, Russia Suspensions Remain for Davis Cup and BJK Cup

ITF stands firm on Belarus ban as Sabalenka hopes to play under flag again  

Tennis’s governing body said its ban on Belarus and Russia from team events stays in place, while noting restrictions on Russian athletes under IOC rules also continue.

The International Tennis Federation said the IOC’s move to lift restrictions does not affect its ban on Belarus and Russia from team competitions...

The International Tennis Federation confirmed Friday that the IOC’s decision to allow Belarusian athletes back does not change Belarus’s exclusion from the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.

In a statement, tennis’s global governing body said its position stands, even after the International Olympic Committee ended its own ban on Belarus.

“The International Tennis Federation confirms that the IOC's announcement does not change its existing position regarding the Belarus and Russian Tennis Federations' suspensions, which remain in place,” the ITF wrote.

Russian and Belarusian athletes were barred from international events after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though some were later allowed to compete under a neutral status.

Under current IOC rules, restrictions on Russian athletes are still in effect.

The ITF added that it plans to reassess its stance on Belarus later this year.

“The membership status of the Belarus Tennis Federation will be considered at the ITF Annual General Meeting in October by the ITF's voting member nations in accordance with ITF constitutional process,” the organisation said.

The ITF runs key international team events including the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, and also manages Olympic tennis alongside the IOC.

The IOC Executive Board no longer recommends restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions governed by International Federations and international sports event organisers.

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Whether Russian and Belarusian players can compete on the pro circuit comes down to separate calls from the ATP, the WTA, and the organizers of the four Grand Slams.

On Thursday, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she’s hoping to represent Belarus again in competition.

“For me representing such a small country, and the hard work that I had to do to get to the top, it's just like, guys, it's incredible, it's a small country, and to make it all the way here, it means a lot to me,” said Sabalenka.

“I would be super proud to represent Belarus.”