Veronika Kudermetova in wardrobe controversy
Russian tennis player Veronika Kudermetova competed at this year’s French Open sans a certain sponsorship patch.
The 26-year-old athlete, who is endorsed by Russian oil and gas company Tatneft, was photographed at Roland Garros without the logo on her wardrobe, although it was seen at different tournaments in recent months, including the Madrid Open.
When pressed by Polish publication Gazeta on the matter, Roland Garros stated, “Any commercial or other identification that violates governmental / TV regulations is prohibited. Tatneft is on this list and not allowed,” according to reporter Dominik Senkowski.
A former subsidiary of Tatneft has been sanctioned by the European Union in regard to its role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, The Guardian reported in May.
The organization supplied tires to the Russian army, according to the report.
Veronika Kudermetova plays a forehand against Karolina Anna Schmiedlova during their first-round match at the French Open on May 29, 2023. Getty Images
A “Tatneft” logo is seen on the arm of Veronika Kudermetova’s jacket at the Madrid Open on May 4, 2023. AP
Kudermetova, who is ranked No. 11 on the WTA Tour, stated last month she would remove the mention in order to compete at Wimbledon this summer.
“I think for Wimbledon, it’s not allowed to play with the badge from Russia, I know that,” she said.
Players from both Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year as “neutral” athletes following a ban previously enforced in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
Veronika Kudermetova, here on May 19, 2023, previously stated she will remove the Russian sponsorship logo in order to compete at Wimbledon. Getty Images
Further, those players will have to abide by certain conditions, notably prohibiting the “expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in various forms and prohibit entry by players receiving funding from the Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states) in relation to their participation in The Championship,” according to the All England Club.
Kudermetova, the No. 11 seed at the French Open, was ousted by Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova on Monday in the first round, 6-3, 6-1.
The French Open runs through June 11 while Wimbledon begins on July 3.
Source: New York Post
