Russian tennis player, Natela Dzalamidze has changed her nationality to Georgia a week before the Wimbledon games, allowing her to compete in The Championships.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarussian players from competing in this year’s tournament.
Dzalamidze, 29 is listed as a Georgian on the Wimbledon entry list and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour website.
She is set to compete alongside Serbian player Aleksandra Krunic in the women’s doubles at the prestigious Grand Slam.
The grass-court Grand Slam begins on Monday, June 27th, and Russian world number one men’s singles player Daniil Medvedev is among those who will be unable to compete.
The All England Club said it has no involvement in players’ change of nationality, saying in a statement: “Player nationality, defined as the flag they play under at professional events, is an agreed process that is governed by the tours and the ITF (International Tennis Federation).”
Dzalamidze is currently ranked 44th in the world in women’s doubles after losing in the first round of both the women’s and mixed doubles events at Roland Garros.