The US Open will allow individual Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the event’s 2022 edition, but only under a neutral flag.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the USTA, which owns and operates the US Open, underlines that it has always condemned Russian military actions in Ukraine, considering them “the unprovoked and unjust invasion”, but it will not follow Wimbledon’s example and will allow all eligible players, regardless of nationality, to compete in New York.
The USTA recognises that each organization has had to deal with unique circumstances that affect their decisions. The USTA stands with the other Grand Slams, the ITF, the ATP, and the WTA in banning of the Russian and Belarusian Tennis Federations from the ITF, and therefore all international team competitions, and the directive for players from those countries to play under a neutral flag when competing outside of international team competitions.