- Natela changes her nationality to play Wimbledon.
- Wimbledon imposed a ban in April on all Russian and Belarusian players to compete.
- US Open will allow all players to compete under a neutral flag.
Russian-born tennis player Natela Dzalamidze changed her nationality to Georgian in order to avoid a ban imposed by Wimbledon on all Russian and Belarusian players following the invasion of Ukraine.
Read more: Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players ‘unfair’: Nadal
The WTA website now recognizes the Georgian nationality of the world’s number 43 doubles specialist, making her eligible to compete with Serbian doubles partner Aleksandra Kruni when Wimbledon opens on June 27.
After Wimbledon enforced the ban against all Russian and Belarusian athletes in April, the ATP and WTA retaliated by removing any ranking points that players would have gained for their performance at the All England Club.
Some of tennis’ top names, including men’s world number one Daniil Medvedev and women’s world number six Aryna Sabalenka, will be absent from SW19.
Read more: Daniil Medvedev decides not to fight over Wimbledon ban
The ban on Russian and Belarusian players has divided the tennis community, and the US Open said last week that it will not follow Wimbledon’s example later this year by allowing players from both countries to compete under a neutral flag.
