Three Russian tennis professionals have changed their nationality in a two-week span as the sport’s governing body continues to enforce bans on Russia and Belarus.
Polina Kudermetova, ranked No. 104 in the world, became the latest player to switch nationalities and will represent Uzbekistan starting 2026, the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation announced Monday.
Earlier this month, the UTF also announced that world No. 97 Kamilla Rakhimova would be representing Uzbekistan. Less than a week later, world No. 50 Anastasia Potapova announced she will represent Austria next year.
At least 10 tennis players have dropped their Russian citizenship to represent other countries, including France, Kazakhstan, and Armenia. The most prominent name is Daria Kasatkina, former world No. 8, who announced she would be representing Australia in March.
In March 2022, the International Tennis Federation banned Russia and Belarus from representation in ITF competitions due to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Belarus, a neighbor of Russia, has aided Russia’s efforts to invade Ukraine.
Russian and Belarusian players are able to continue participating in ITF tournaments as neutral players, or, like the three players this week, they can change their nationality.
The Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation were also suspended by the ITF, limiting the amount of support each organization can provide its players. The aid is vital for lower-ranked players like the 22-year-old Kudermetova who may not have the career earnings and endorsement deals to be self-sufficient.
But other top Russian and Belarusian stars have not switched nationalities, including Kudermetova sister Veronika, who is ranked No. 30 in the world and has amassed more than $10.6 million in career earnings. Other stars who have continued to represent their home countries are Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 men’s US Open champion, and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the current world No. 1 women’s tennis player.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored last week, Sabalenka confirmed that she has no plans to switch nationalities.
“I’ve always been really proud to represent such small country. I take it as I’m an inspiration for the young kids there. Changing my nationality, it’s not the case for me because I don’t want to betray all the kids. So I would like to represent Belarus just for the kids from that country to see me competing on a high level and get inspired by me,” Sabalenka said.
