Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev won't criticize the players who stopped representing Russia this offseason because he believes they remain Russian patriots in their heart.
In October, Moscow-born Maria Timofeeva switched her allegiance to Uzbekistan. Kamilla Rakhimova and Polina Kudermetova pulled off the same move this month.
Anastasia Potapova, a three-time WTA champion, is also representing a different country now. However, unlike Timofeeva, Rakhimova and Kudermetova, the 24-year-old didn't pick Uzbekistan, but Austria.
From this group of players, only Potapova is ranked inside the top-50 - she sits exactly at No. 50 in the world. Rakhimova is ranked at No 97 in the world, Kudermetova at No. 104, while Timofeeva is the 143rd-ranked player in the world.
Asked to share his thoughts on it, Tarpischev claimed that the players only obtained the sporting citizenship of the mentioned countries - probably because they wanted to play in the next Olympics. Also, the RTF President said that the four players in question kept their original passport - and by doing so - they remain patriots.
Tarpischev: An athlete can only be criticized if they are not a patriot of Russia
Its clear that an athlete primarily wants to compete in as many tournaments as possible. An athlete can only be criticized if they are not a patriot of Russia. Those who change their sporting nationality while keeping a Russian passport simply want to play. The ones who leave are those who dont make our national team. Its clear who qualifies for the Olympics practically the entire lineup while the rest just want to play," Tarpischev said, via Russian publication Championat.
Earlier this year, Daria Kasatkina started representing Australia. Before making the change, Kasatkina criticized the Russian government and even drew criticism from a Russian politician a few years ago.
In one of his recent interviews, Tarpischev was asked if Russia was in danger of losing Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider. The RTF President strongly shut down that claim, confidently stating that they would continue to represent their home country.
