Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova mentioned she’s going to take away the brand of Russian sponsor Tatneft from her package so she will be able to compete at Wimbledon this yr.
Wimbledon banned Russian and Belarusian gamers in 2022 over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine however mentioned in March it could settle for them as impartial athletes for this yr’s championships.
Match organisers have mentioned gamers could be prohibited from expressing help for the invasion, which Moscow calls a “particular navy operation”, and should not obtain funding from the Russian or Belarusian states.
Kudermetova’s sponsor Tatneft is an oil and fuel firm.
“I believe for Wimbledon, it’s not allowed to play with the badge from Russia, I do know that,” Kudermetova advised reporters on the Madrid Open on Monday.
Kudermetova, who will face Jessica Pegula within the quarter-finals in Madrid, is amongst a number of Russian and Belarusian gamers who’ve already signed private declarations that can clear them to compete as neutrals at Wimbledon.
“If I wish to play Wimbledon, I have to take the badge off,” she added.