Wimbledon nightmare as Russia claim Moscow-born finalist Rybakina as their own despite ban

“I’m really happy representing Kazakhstan. They believed in me. There is no more question about how I feel. It’s just already long time my journey as a Kazak player. I played Olympics, Fed Cup.”

Back in April, AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt confirmed that Wimbledon did not allow Russian players who signed a declaration condemning Putin and the war to compete as their success could still be used as part of the country’s propaganda.  “Even if we were to accept entries with a declaration,” it would “risk their success or participation being used to benefit the propaganda machine of Russian regime,” he said in the spring press conference.

But the club now face the almost-inevitable fate of Russia claiming Rybakina’s success as their own and it remains to be seen whether the Kremlin use her final – and potential title win – as part of their propaganda.