International Tennis Federation suspends Russia, Belarus membership, team competitions

London: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced Tuesday it suspended the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) and Belarus Tennis Federation (BTF) until further notice.

ITF in its statement condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its facilitation by Belarus. In addition to the cancellation of all ITF events in those countries, the ITF Board has today announced the immediate suspension of the RTF and BTF from ITF membership and from participation in the ITF international team competition until further notice. 

The ITF noted that with the indefinite suspension, Russia and Belarus are ineligible to compete in all 2022 ITF international team competitions but players are not barred from participating as individuals on tours.

The ITF also stressed that it stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and condemned Russia’s war on Ukraine and its facilitation by Belarus.

Since Russia's war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Russia.

At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 400 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.

Nearly 680,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said Tuesday.