Russian Kudermetova To Remove Tafneft As Jersey Sponsor To Compete At Wimbledon

Russian tennis player Veronika Kudermetova has confirmed that she will remove the logo of sanctioned Russian sponsor Tatneft from her kit in order to compete at Wimbledon this year.

The Grand Slam tournament banned Russian and Belarusian players in 2022 over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Kudermetova's sponsor Tatneft, an oil and gas company, was sanctioned by the European Union last June.

"I think for Wimbledon, it's not allowed to play with the badge from Russia, I know that," Kudermetova told reporters at the Madrid Open on Monday.

Kudermetova, who will face Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals in Madrid, is among several Russian and Belarusian players who have already signed personal declarations that will clear them to compete as neutrals at Wimbledon.

"If I would like to play Wimbledon, I need to take the badge off," she added.