Tarpischev admits mass refusal of tennis players to play for Russia

Photo: Sergey Bulkin/NEWS.ru

Shamil Tarpishchev

Tennis has a problem with funding reserves, which is why athletes may start playing for other countries, said Shamil Tarpischev, president of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF), at a meeting of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports. According to him, as quoted by RIA Novosti Sport, at least 20 Russian tennis players may change their sports citizenship. Tarpischev called for this "sensitive situation" to be resolved.

We have a thousand people playing abroad, in Russia the leagues do not work and there are no deductions. We have problems that we cannot finance reserves. There is a danger that athletes can go to other countries, athletes are being processed, at least 20 people can leave altogether. And all our leaders are on contractual relations with the federation. This is a delicate situation that needs to be resolved , - said Tarpischev.

Earlier, Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the quarterfinal match of the Association of Tennis Professionals tournament in Doha. His opponent was the 23rd racket of the world, Canadian representative Felix Auger-Aliassime.