Russia's Dzalamidze changes nationality to avoid Wimbledon ban

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – A Russian tennis player in women's doubles, Natela Dzalamidze, has dodged the 2022 Wimbledon ban by changing her citizenship to Georgian to play at next week's Grand Slam.

According to the Wimbledon's entry list for this year's tournament on Friday, Dzalamidze, 29, will represent Georgia at the Championships.

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has changed Dzalamidze's nationality to Georgia as well.

Moscow-born Dzalamidze was a Russian player from 2015-2022.

She ranked 44th in women's doubles.

Russian and Belarusian tennis players cannot play at this year's Wimbledon due to the Russia-Ukraine war, organizers had previously said.

The 2022 Wimbledon will begin on June 27 and run through July 10.

Founded in 1877, Wimbledon is one of the four majors in tennis and it is the only Grand Slam that is still played on grass, which is the game's tradition.