Russian tennis player Vera Zvonareva faced a setback when she was blocked from entering Poland ahead of the Warsaw Open.
The former world number two, aged 38, was scheduled to compete in the tournament starting on Monday.
However, Poland’s interior ministry cited “reasons of state security and public safety” as the basis for their decision to prevent her entry.
Zvonareva found herself on a list of individuals deemed “undesirable” in Poland, raising concerns about her presence in the country.
Poland has emerged as one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters since Russia’s invasion of the country in February 2022.
Consequently, the nation has taken a firm stance on denying entry to individuals who express support for the actions of Russia and Belarus.
In March 2022, Zvonareva was observed wearing a visor hat with the words “no war” during her participation in the Miami Open.
This expression of her stance likely raised eyebrows and contributed to her being flagged as “undesirable” in Poland.
The incident reflects the heightened sensitivity surrounding geopolitical tensions in the region and how sports events are becoming intertwined with political considerations.
As a result, Zvonareva’s aspirations to compete in the Warsaw Open were halted, underscoring the complexities of international relations in the world of sports.
