Russian tennis player Vera Zvonareva has been refused entry to Poland where she was due to participate in a WTA tournament, the Polish Interior Ministry announced on Saturday. “On July 21, Polish border guards made it impossible for the Russian tennis player to enter Poland,” according to a statement issued by the ministry. “Vera Zvonareva was trying to enter our country with a visa granted by France, via a flight from Belgrade”, specifies the text.
The Polish authorities said that the player, who was to participate in the Warsaw tournament, registered on the WTA world calendar and opening on Monday, was stranded in the transit area of Warsaw airport before taking a flight for Podgorica at 12.00 (10:00 GMT).
According to the Polish Ministry, the 38-year-old is on the list of “undesirable” people in Poland. “Poland steadfastly opposes the regime of (Russian and Belarusian Presidents Vladimir) Putin and (Alexander) Lukashenko, not allowing people who support Russian and Belarusian operations to enter our country,” the Polish statement concluded.