Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has promised to withdraw from this week's Monterrey Open in Mexico unless her opponent is barred from representing Russia.
The world No 15 was due to play Anastasia Potapova in her first round match on Tuesday, but the day beforehand took to social media to reveal she would be forfeiting the tie unless the WTA opted to copy the sanctions imposed by the International Olympic Committee [IOC].
Last Friday, barely 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine, the IOC called for sporting events in Russia and Belarus to be moved or cancelled, and stated that the countries' national flags should not be displayed at international sporting events.
