Russia-born Natela Dzalamidze can now play Wimbledon 2022, courtesy, her nationality change

If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably heard that in April, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing in this year’s Wimbledon. The ongoing war situation between Russia and Ukraine, in which Belarus is also involved, has led to this decision.  

Keeping this in mind, Russia-born Natela Dzalamidze, who is ranked number 44 in the world, changed her nationality recently. Several media sources have revealed that her nationality now appears as Georgian in the tournament’s entry list for women’s doubles. This nationality change will allow her to compete in Wimbledon 2022, which is set to commence on 27th June, under the flag of Georgia. She'll fight for the women’s double trophy alongside her partner, Serbian Aleksandra Krunic.  

Incidentally, AELTC has agreed to go along with this as they cannot control players’ nationality shift. Such matters are overseen by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), both of which have raised no objections to this development.  

How has the tennis world reacted to the ban?
AELTC’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing in Wimbledon 2022 has generated a series of hostile reactions in the tennis world. For instance, both WTA and ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals, WTA’s male equivalent) have penalised the English grasscourt-based Grand Slam by stripping off its ranking points. This means that this year’s Wimbledon will be a mere exhibition tournament and nothing more; the players won’t gain anything by participating in it. Moreover, other Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open, have decided to stay apolitical. They recently announced that they’ll allow players from both Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag.  

Who will miss out on Wimbledon 2022 due to this ban?
This ban has ruled out a series of top-ranking players from competing in the tournament, including the ATP World Number 1, Daniil Medvedev. This would have been the reigning US Open champion’s first Grand Slam since becoming the top player in the world. Sources have revealed that Medvedev is disappointed and has expressed a desire to be a part of Wimbledon, even if as a mere formality. 

Likewise, WTA World Number 6, Aryna Sabalenka, and two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist and former WTA World Number 1, Victoria Azarenka, will also be barred from participating in Wimbledon 2022 due to their Belarusian nationality.  

Another popular face who won’t be allowed to compete in this year’s Wimbledon is Russia’s Andrey Rublev. Currently ranked as ATP World Number 8, he rose to fame when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Serbia Open Final. He also made headlines and won universal acclaim for scribbling “No war please” on camera during the recently concluded Dubai Tennis Championships.