ITF sticks to neutral status for Belarus, Russia tennis stars

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that it will maintain its current position on the suspensions of Belarus and Russia. This decision means that prominent athletes from these nations, including Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and Russian Daniil Medvedev, will continue to participate in tournaments under a neutral status. This confirmation came on Friday, May 8, 2026, following the ITF's review of recent developments.

This stance from the ITF contrasts with a recent policy shift by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday. The IOC had indicated that athletes from Belarus could once again compete with their full national identity, even as the conflict in Ukraine persists. However, the ITF explicitly stated that the IOC's announcement does not alter its existing position.

The membership status of the Belarus Tennis Federation is scheduled for further consideration. A decision on this matter will be made in October during the ITF's Annual General Meeting, where voting member nations will convene to discuss and decide the federation's future standing.

Since the onset of the conflict, players from both Belarus and Russia have been compelled to compete without their national affiliations, flags, or anthems. Additionally, their respective national teams have been banned from major competitions such as the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, with tennis events within their countries also being cancelled.