US Open allows Russian players to compete under neutral flag

• Russian and Belarusian tennis players will be allowed to compete under a neutral flag at the US Open.
• The USTA's decision means world number one Daniil Medvedev will be able to defend his title.

Russian and Belarusian tennis players will be allowed to compete under a neutral flag at this year's US Open, the US Tennis Association said Tuesday.

The USTA's decision comes two months after the All England Club announced it was barring players from the two countries from playing at Wimbledon this year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, prompting backlash from players and tennis' governing bodies.

It means Russian world number one Daniil Medvedev will be able to defend his men's singles title, while the Belarusians Arnya Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka will also be able to play.

"Based on our own circumstances, the USTA will allow all eligible players, regardless of nationality, to compete at the 2022 US Open," the USTA said.

The organization added that it "has previously condemned, and continues to condemn, the unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine by Russia."

It also said it would use the US Open to "amplify existing Ukrainian humanitarian efforts, including committing to significant financial support."

Mike McNulty, the USTA's president and board chairman, said the group would soon roll out a "broad set of initiatives that will include significant financial assistance and other programs to further support humanitarian relief and the people of Ukraine."

Russia invaded Ukraine in February. Thousands of civilians have been killed, per United Nations estimates, and millions of people have fled the country.