Ukrainian former tennis participant Alexandr Dolgopolov says tennis authorities are being “too passive” and will ban gamers from Russia whereas there may be struggle in Ukraine.
The 33-year-old informed BBC Sport the choice to permit Russian gamers, reminiscent of males’s world primary Daniil Medvedev, to proceed enjoying as neutrals and eradicating their flag “will not be altering something”.
“Letting them play simply by saying just a few phrases that they’re towards struggle, I do not consider that is sufficient,” he mentioned.
Former world quantity 13 Dolgopolov has returned to Kyiv to affix Ukraine’s territorial defence unit and has had current navy coaching to learn to use weapons.
Whereas he was chatting with BBC Sport the air raid sirens within the metropolis had been sounded, and he mentioned it was “robust” to see “horrible issues” taking place in his nation.
Russia and Belarus have been suspended from worldwide tennis group competitions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However the Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF) and each the ATP and WTA excursions have allowed gamers from each international locations to proceed competing as impartial people “at the moment”.
Medvedev has mentioned he needs peace on the planet, and his compatriot Andrey Rublev, the world quantity seven, signed a digital camera lens with a “no struggle please” message at a current event in Dubai.
However Dolgopolov mentioned he was disenchanted by the stance being taken by tennis authorities.
“I do know all these guys personally. I even performed Daniil once I was enjoying. They’re good guys however no offence to them – I consider Russia ought to be blocked from any participant in any sport, in any tradition,” he mentioned.
“I believe each Russian is chargeable for their authorities and their president.
“Simply being impartial, taking away their flag, we all know that’s not altering something. And even the sanctions which are taking place now, even the destroyed economics it’s not sufficient for [Russian President Vladimir Putin] to cease.”
Dolgopolov mentioned he has informed an ATP consultant that tennis ought to go additional.
“I already mentioned this to them that I believe tennis is being too passive,” he mentioned.
“I believe it’s not sufficient to say ‘we’re towards struggle’. We hear ‘we’re towards struggle’ all over the place, in Miss Universe, within the Oscars. Yeah, that is nice, however they do not ask the youngsters or the ladies right here any questions.”
Dolgopolov mentioned it was “inspiring” to see a variety of Ukrainian sportspeople, together with fellow tennis participant Sergiy Stakhovsky, signing as much as struggle.
To arrange himself for his return to Ukraine, Dolgopolov had a number of days of navy coaching from an ex-soldier.
“Going to a spot like this you want to perceive how a gun works,” he mentioned.
“So it does not imply that I’ll want it – I do not know if I do. It implies that I can defend myself. And if I seem in some battle I’ll shoot and I’ll hit the purpose.”
Explaining what his overriding emotion was at the moment, Dolgopolov mentioned: “Anger. My girlfriend was making an attempt to depart together with her baby, that was perhaps 10 days in the past. Their automotive acquired shot with some Kalashnikovs or one thing. They’re OK however three automobiles in entrance of them had been destroyed.
“They’re killing civilians, entire households, she informed me that one in all her pals’ household acquired killed with youngsters, with ladies. So we simply really feel anger.”
