Russian player Vera Zvonareva blocked from entering Poland
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Polish officials say Russia's Vera Zvonareva is on a list of people considered undesirable in Poland.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WARSAW – Russian tennis player Vera Zvonareva was blocked from entering Poland for reasons of state security and public safety, the Polish interior ministry said on Saturday.
The 38-year-old, the bronze medallist at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, was on the entry list for the Warsaw Open tournament starting on Monday.
“The Border Guard prevented a Russian tennis player from entering Poland. Vera Zvonareva, using a visa issued by France, tried to get into our country on a flight from Belgrade to Warsaw,” the ministry said in a statement.
Zvonareva, who landed in Poland on Friday, is on a list of people considered undesirable there, it said. “After arriving from Serbia, the tennis player stayed in the transit zone of Warsaw Chopin Airport and today after 1200 she flew to Podgorica (Montenegro’s capital).”
The WTA on Saturday said it was aware of the situation.
“The safety and well-being of all players is a top priority of the WTA,” it said in a statement.
“Vera has departed Poland and we will be evaluating the issue further with the event.”
Zvonareva is a four-time Grand Slam champion – twice each in doubles and mixed doubles – and helped Russia to victory in the Fed Cup in 2004 and 2008.
The Muscovite has fallen to 655th in the world from her career-high No. 2 ranking in 2010.
Poland has become one of Ukraine’s staunchest backers since Russia invaded the country in 2022, and it has been refusing entry to people who support the actions of Russia and close ally Belarus.
The tournament organisers did not immediately reply to an e-mailed request for comment.
Meanwhile, Alex Michelsen’s breakout run at the grass-court event in Newport continued on Saturday, as the 18-year-old American toppled four-time champion John Isner 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 to reach his first ATP Tour final.
The teenager, who has yet to turn pro, showed no sign of nerves as the first set against Isner came down to the tiebreak and saved all three break points he faced in the 1hr 42min clash.
Michelsen withstood 20 aces from his big-serving compatriot, who at 38 years old was giving away 20 years to the rising talent across the net.
Michelsen, who defeated defending champion Maxime Cressy in the first round, will play French second seed Adrian Mannarino for the title.
Mannarino defeated compatriot Ugo Humbert, the third seed, 6-4, 6-3. REUTERS, AFP
