US Open to allow Russian, Belarusian tennis players

Despite the war in Ukraine, the US Open will allow Russian and Belarusian tennis players to compete at this year's tournament.

Unlike the All England Club, which announced in April that it has banned all Russian and Belarussian athletes from competing at this year's Wimbledon, the US Tennis Association has decided not to hold individual athletes responsible for the actions of their governments.

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Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to play in New York under a neutral flag - an arrangement that was used at this year's French Open as well.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev, who is the current World No. 1, is also the defending Men's champion at the Flushing Meadows. The announcement by the USTA paves the way for him to defend his title later this year.

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