Tennis
Russian tennis players were given conditions at Wimbledon. Loving the country is forbidden!
Daniil Medvedev / Photo: © REUTERS / Amr Alfiky
The British figured out how to allow the Russians to their main tournament. They promise to give visas, but they scare them with strange rules.
Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam tournament last year that did not feature Russian and Belarusian tennis players. The British categorically did not give a damn about the recommendations of the WTA and ATP and introduced their own rules, but paid for it with fines and deprivation of rating points.
A year later, they realized that the second time such a trick would not work. The organizers of Wimbledon are ready to make concessions, but they have introduced a number of rules for our athletes, some of which are puzzling.
The British were pressed
For the second week in a row, the British press has been talking about the fact that Russians and Belarusians should be allowed into the country, given visas and allowed to speak at Wimbledon. The Daily Mail in February wrote that two tournaments in London and Eastbourne risked losing places on the calendar if our tennis players were banned from competing again. There was no talk about Wimbledon then, but he was also meant. The WTA and ATP are so tired of the tricks of the British that they began to essentially blackmail them not only with money, but also with the loss of the tournaments themselves.
In March, another British edition of The Daily Telegraph reported that the ban on the participation of Russians and Belarusians would be lifted this year. This data was confirmed by Sports Illustrated journalist John Wertheim. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which is responsible for holding tournaments in the UK, admitted that it is continuing discussions with the country’s government on this issue. All this happened against the backdrop of the initiatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), whose leaders set out to allow our athletes to compete in a neutral status.
The British could not ignore this. They were well aware that at some point the recommendations of the IOC would reach them. Moreover, IOC President Thomas Bach, in one of his speeches, just cited the successful experience of the Australian Open-2023, where the Russians and Belarusians performed without any problems and delighted the audience with their game. Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, Daria Kasatkina, Veronika Kudermetova and many of our other tennis players are the leading players in the world bracket, so none of the organizers in their right mind would want to lose them.
Are tennis players banned from loving their country?
This was clearly understood in the UK as well, but the political agenda there is too strong to deal with. However, the organizers of Wimbledon thought and gave an alternative solution to the problem. They are ready to allow Russians and Belarusians, but tennis players are required to sign a code of conduct. Athletes are not required to publicly denounce the situation in Ukraine, but in no way should the Russian flag be used on uniforms or anywhere else. But the strangest and most humiliating thing about these rules is that our athletes are forbidden to speak positively about their native country.
So far, there are no detailed explanations of what exactly the British had in mind and how it will be controlled. Apparently, it would be safest for Medvedev and company not to mention their homeland at all, either in the comments after the match, or at press conferences, or on social networks. Is it worth it, the athletes themselves will decide. And this choice will not be the easiest.
Source: Sportbox
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
Elina Svitolina (WTA 12) will face Mirra Andreeva (WTA 7) in the fourth round of the Australian Open on January 25.
The match is scheduled to start at 12:00 Kyiv time.
Sport.ua together with a betting partner bet announcing the upcoming fight!
Elina Svitolina
The Ukrainian athlete started this season brilliantly and currently has a streak of eight wins in official tournaments. Svitolina has already won the title in Auckland but she needs to perform well at the majors.
In the first round, the athlete defeated Spaniard Krystyna Buksha with scores of 6:4, 6:1, then defeated the young Polish player Linda Klimovichova with scores of 7:5, 6:1. The most difficult was the last match against the “neutral” Diana Schneider – 7:6, 6:3, in this match there were up to nine breaks. Svitolina won the last fight with her experience, made a little less mistakes, won a little more and finally put the finishing touches on her opponent.
The best performance at the Australian Open was in the quarter-finals; This was achieved three times, thus putting the tennis player one step away from repeating his personal best. If successful, Elina will compete with the winner of the Gauff-Mukhova pairing.
Mirra Andreeva
The “neutral” team also starts the season well but rarely behaves with dignity on the field. Andreeva reached the quarter-finals in Brisbane, where she deservedly lost to Marta Kostyuk in two sets. Later, the athlete managed to win the championship in Adelaide, beating Canadian Mboko in the final.
The tennis player is 18 years old and is not bothered by his busy schedule. Despite its place in the top 10, it lacks emotional stability. Andreeva started this tournament with a tough win against Donna Vekic – 4:6, 6:3, 6:0, then beat Greek Maria Sakkari 6:4, 6:0 and in the last match she beat Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6:3, 6:4. At the Australian Major the neutral team never advanced beyond the fourth round.
personal meetings
The tennis players played each other only once; The match took place in the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells tournament in March last year. Andreeva then won with scores of 7:5 and 6:3.
To guess
Bookmakers give a slight advantage to the “neutral”, which is explained by the fact that it is higher in the rankings and is also 13 years younger. Svitolina’s motivation will be very high in such a match.
I don’t think the winner will be determined quickly, so I’m betting on 1.76 out of 21.5 games in total.
Elina Svitolina01/25/2026 –
12:00
Mirra Andreeva 1.76 place a bet KRAIL License No. 559 dated 12/05/2024 Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
All matches of the third round ended on January 24 Australian Open in the men’s singles draw.
Jannik Sinner, number two in the ATP world rankings and the current champion of the tournament, won a hard-fought victory against Eliot Spizziri in four sets, losing 0:1 in the matches. Yannick suffered cramps in the third set, but a break to cover the loft helped him get back into the game.
The Sinner’s next opponent will be his compatriot Luciano Darderi, who punished Karen Khachanov. Another Italian who will take part in the 1/8 final of the Aus Open will be Lorenzo Musetti, who defeated Tomas Machac. For the first time in the Open Era, three Italians will compete in the round of 16 in the men’s singles at a major in Melbourne.
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Musetti will next compete against Taylor Fritz, who beat American Stan Wawrinka in four games. The Swiss player played his last match on the Australian Open courts; He will end his professional career in 2026.
Novak Djokovic defeated Botik van de Zandshulp to achieve his all-time record 400th Grand Slam victory. Next, Djokovic will face Czech Jakub Mensik, who defeated Ethan Quinn.
Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud will compete once again in the last 16 match. Shelton defeated Valentin Vachereau in three sets and Ruud knocked out Marin Cilic. Among tennis players born after 2002, only Carlos Alcaraz (87) has more Grand Slam singles victories than Shelton (35).
The day before, the Australian Open had hosted the 1/16 final matches in the upper ranks.
Australian Open 2026. 1/16 finals
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Lorenzo Musetti [5] – Tomas Machac – 5:7, 6:4, 6:2, 5:7, 6:2
Stan Wawrinka [WC] – Taylor Fritz [9] – 6:7 (5:7), 6:2, 4:6, 4:6
Yakub Menshik [16] – Ethan Quinn – 6:2, 7:6 (7:5), 7:6 (7:5)
Botik van de Zandshulp – Novak Djokovic [4] – 3:6, 4:6, 6:7 (4:7)
Ben Shelton [8] – Valentin Vachereau [30] – 6:4, 6:4, 7:6 (7:5)
Marin Cilic Casper Ruud [12] – 4:6, 4:6, 6:3, 5:7
Karen Khachanov [15] – Luciano Darderi [22] – 6:7 (5:7), 6:3, 3:6, 4:6
Eliot Spizziri – Jannik the Sinner [2] – 6:4, 3:6, 4:6, 4:6
Australian Open 2026. Round of 16 Pairings
topnet
Carlos Alcaraz [1] – Tommy Paul [19]
Alexander Bublik [10] – Alex de Minaur [6]
Alexander Zverev [3] – Francisco Cherundolo [18]
Daniil Medvedev [11] – Lerner Tien [25]
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Lorenzo Musetti [5] – Taylor Fritz [9]
Yakub Menshik [16] – Novak Djokovic [4]
Ben Shelton [8] – Casper Ruud [12]
Luciano Darderi [22] – Jannik the Sinner [2]
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Tennis
Minus Osaka and Noskova. All pairings in the women’s 1/8 final of the Aus Open have been determined
All matches of the third round were completed on January 24 Australian Open 2026.
World number two Iga Swiatek beat Anna Kalinska and advanced to the second week of the Grand Slam tournament for the 21st time in her career.
Her next opponent will be Australian Maddison Inglis, who advanced to the grand tour without a fight after Naomi Osaka withdrew. Inglis became the first player from her country to reach the last 16 of the Aus Open women’s singles since Ashleigh Barty in 2022.
The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua
Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys beat former world number one Carolina Pliskova, who returned to the tour after two surgeries. Pliskova played in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2024 US Open. Keys became only the second active tennis player with more than 125 major wins, after Venus Williams (271).
In the fourth round of the Slam, Keys will play against world number six Jessica Pegula – she defeated American “neutral” Oksana Selekhmetyeva. For the first time in her career, Jessica reached the 1/8 finals in two consecutive Grand Slam tournaments without losing a single set.
Amanda Anisimova, the fourth racket in the world and one of the favorites of the cup, defeated Peyton Stearns without any problems. In the next round, Amanda will meet the Chinese representative Wang Xinyu, who sensationally knocked out the 13th ranked Linda Noskova. Wang Xinyu reached the fourth round of the slam for only the third time in his career.
In another match of the 1/8 final of the lower part of the group, Elena Rybakina and Elise Mertens will meet. Rybakina defeated Teresa Valenta and Mertens decided against Nikola Bartunkova. Elena and Elise deprived the Czech fans of the derby.
The day before, the Aus Open hosted the 1/16 final match at the top of the group, which in particular was furthered by Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
Australian Open 2026. 1/16 final
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Jessica Pegula [6] – 🏳️ Oksana Selekhmetyeva – 6:3, 6:2
Carolina Pliskova – Madison Keys [9] – 3:6, 3:6
Linda Noskova [13] – Wang Xinyu – 5:7, 4:6
Peyton Stearns- Amanda Anisimova [4] – 1:6, 4:6
Elena Rybakina [5] – Teresa Valentova – 6:2, 6:2
Elise Mertens [21] – Nikola Bartunkova [Q] – 6:0, 6:4
Naomi Osaka [16] – Maddison Inglis [Q] – WO., Inglis
🏳️Anna Kalinskaya [31] – Iga Swiatek [2] – 1:6, 6:1, 1:6
Australian Open 2026. 1/8 end pair
topnet
Arina Sabalenko [1] – Victoria Mboko [17]
Yulia Putintseva – Iva Jovic [29]
Coco Gauff [3] – Carolina Muchova [19]
Elina Svitolina [12] – Mirra Andreeva [8]
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Jessica Pegula [6] – Madison Keys [9]
Wang Xinyu- Amanda Anisimova [4]
Elena Rybakina [5] – Elise Mertens [21]
Maddison Inglis [Q] – Iga Swiatek [2]
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
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