Potapova Questions Wimbledon Neutrality Agreement
WTA
Anastasia Potapova revealed that she is willing to sign the neutrality agreement in order to compete at Wimbledon 2023.
However, she also questioned the impact of the document. In 2022, Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing in Wimbledon. However, the All England Club and the Lawn Tennis Association (AELTC) reversed their decision for the 2023 edition.
Players from the two nations must meet certain criteria, like signing a neutrality agreement, which means competitors cannot show support towards the Russia-Ukraine war. But, when speaking to Championat, Potapova felt signing the agreement would bring about no real change.
"I read a lot about this in the media, but nobody in the WTA approached me to say anything, to give me a piece of paper to sign. If necessary, I will sign, but what will be easier with that signature? Nothing will end, nothing will change."
In addition, the Russian player once again emphasised her opposition to the Russia-Ukraine war, which started in February 2022.
"I have repeatedly expressed my opinion about everything that happens, I am against the war like any reasonable person."
Although Potapova has questioned the neutrality agreement and its effectiveness, she also said she wants to sign it so she can compete at Wimbledon.
Th 22-year-old made her first appearance in SW19 in 2017 but has never progressed further than the second round. But Potapova believes top-level tennis players always want to compete at every major competition on the calendar.
"If it is necessary to sign to go to Wimbledon, we will all do it, in the end we are athletes and we want to play as much as possible, especially in Grand Slam tournaments."
Potapova has become the latest player to speak out about Wimbledon's reversal for the 2023 tournament. Former winner Andy Murray also shared his thoughts about how effective WImbledon's measure would be in bringing real change towards the ongoing war in Ukraine.
