Ukraine invasion: Tennis stars allowed to continue, Russia F1 Grand Prix cancelled

Russian and Belarusian tennis players can continue to compete in international events and the Grand Slams, but they cannot do so under the name or flag of Russia or Belarus until further notice.

The decision comes in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week. Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion.

"The international governing bodies of tennis stand united in our condemnation of Russia's actions," the joint statement said.

The decision will allow men's world No.1 Daniil Medvedev, who is Russian, and women's No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus to continue to compete on tour.

The joint statement was released by the men's ATP tour, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the four Grand Slam events - the Australian Open, French Open, US Open and Wimbledon.

The WTA and ATP have also decided to suspend the combined WTA-ATP event, which was set to be held in Moscow in October.

The ITF has suspended the Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation membership and withdrawn their entries from all ITF international team competition until further notice.

It follows the cancellation of all ITF tournaments in Russia and Belarus indefinitely.

Meanwhile, motorsport's governing body FIA has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but said Russian and Belarusian drivers could still take part in its competitions in a neutral capacity.

The decision was announced after an extraordinary meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).

It said the participation of any Russian and Belarusian drivers, individual competitors and officials, even in a neutral capacity, was subject to a "specific commitment and adherence to the FIA's principles of peace and political neutrality".

The meeting also confirmed the cancellation of this year's Russian Grand Prix.

The FIA decisions come in the wake of last week's invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a "special operation". Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion.

"We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine," says FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The decision of the FIA's WMSC would allow Nikita Mazepin, the only Russian on the grid, to continue to race in Formula One.

The 22-year-old already races under a neutral flag due to doping sanctions imposed on Russia.

But he still faces an uncertain future after his US-owned Haas team removed all branding related to Russian potash producer and title sponsor Uralkali on the final day of last week's Barcelona test.

Uralkali is owned by Mazepin's father and the fate of the partnership and the Russian's continued presence at the team is set to be decided this week.

It also banned the display of any Russian or Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags or the playing of any anthems at international or zonal competitions.

The WMSC added that no FIA grant would be awarded to the Russian or Belarusian FIA Members, until further notice, while existing FIA grant funding would also be halted.

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian former F1 racer Daniil Kvyat called banning Russian athletes and teams from international sport an "unfair" solution.

It also banned the display of any Russian or Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags or the playing of any anthems at international or zonal competitions.

The WMSC added that no FIA grant would be awarded to the Russian or Belarusian FIA Members, until further notice, while existing FIA grant funding would also be halted.

Reuters