After switching nationality, Russia-born Natela Dzalamidze eligible to participate in this year’s Wimbledon championship

This year Wimbledon championship has decided to debar Russian and Belarussian players from competing in the championship, Moscow-born Natela Dzalamidze has found a way to play in the tournament by changing her nationality and is now slated to represent Georgia.

The 29-year-old tennis star is enlisted as a Georgian national in the entry list of the women’s doubles tournament. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), to condemn the invasion, banned all Russian and Belarussian players from playing at Wimbledon. 

Commenting on Natela’s change of nationality, All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), affirmed that it has nothing to with the nationality change of the players.

"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," an AELTC spokesperson said.

The Wimbledon championship is set to kick off on June 27. The decision of disallowing Russian and Belarussian players from participating in the tournament has received immense backlash and all the ranking points have been stripped from the grand slam.

On the other hand, the United States Tennis Association earlier this month confirmed that all the Russian and Belarussian players would be welcome to take part in the U.S open this year.