A prominent Ukranian tennis page on X is accusing Russia's Veronika Kudermetova of breaking the neutrality policy by spending time in a tennis academy that supports the Russian armed forces.
The news emanated on X, where the account named Ukrainian Tennis BTU called out the World No. 16 who was photographed back home in Russia training on hard courts in preparation for the 2023 US Open. Kudermetova posed for a picture alongside her husband and friends.
But the account has dug into unverified posts of the tennis academy that they believe support Russian forces who have been at the center of the war in Ukraine. The presence of Z-flag at that camp is a symbol denoting pro-war propaganda which the account also shared on X along with its motives.
While some Russian players have spoken against the war, being critical of their country's actions remains a sensitive topic, which is why most players prefer to remain tight-lipped. Kudermetova has not commented on this accusation.
"Veronika Kudermetova also thinks it's totally fine to spend her pre US Open time - out of all places - in the tennis academy which regularly calls people to join the Russian armed forces. Probably the Z-flags & pro-war avatars of this tennis academy are *neutral* too @wta
Kudermetova was previously targeted for wearing Russian-sponsored outfits. Kudermetova endorses Russian oil and gas company Tatneft and wears their logo which is stitched on her match outfits. Kudermetova was aware and confirmed that she would take it off when she competed at Wimbledon where she was to abide by the All England Club's signed declaration of neutrality.
It's not the first time that Russian players have been landed in hot water on the basis of their patriotism. Last month Ukrainian player Dayana Yastremska called for sanctions on 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva who liked pro-Russia social media posts, and asked the WTA to action.
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