A Russian tennis player changes her nationality

Natela Dzalamidze, a tennis player of Russian origin, has decided to change her nationality to Georgian. This will allow her to participate in the Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament.

The most important grass court tournament of the year, organized by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, refuses to welcome all Russian players following the invasion of Ukraine by their country.

Natela Dzalamidze, a doubles specialist, is ranked 43rd in the world. The 29-year-old right-hander is now officially listed as having Georgian citizenship on the WTA website and can compete with her doubles partner, Serbian Aleksandra Krunić, when Wimbledon begins on June 27.

“The nationality of players, defined as the flag under which they play at professional events, is an agreed process that is governed by the Towers and the ITF,” said theWimbledonspokesman.

The decision of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club will result in, among other things, that the men’s world number 1 Daniil Medvedev and the women’s world number 6 Aryna Sabalenka will not be able to take part in the event.

The Wimbledon tournament will be held this year from June 27 to July 10, 2022.