Czech police stopped a Russian tennis player from entering the country ahead of the WTA Prague Open tournament, organisers said on Friday, as a new government resolution banning athletes from Russia or Belarus caused the event to scratch other competitors.

Prague Open: Unnamed Russian female player denied entry into country for WTA tournament - Organisers

Tennis missed an opportunity to send a strong message to Moscow by failing to impose a blanket ban on players from Russia and its ally Belarus after the invasion of Ukraine, world number one Iga Swiatek said.

Tennis should have banned players from Russia, Belarusian, says world number one Iga Swiatek

The US Tennis Association(USTA) said on Tuesday that players from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete in the upcoming tournament under a neutral flag. The move comes after Wimbledon officials banned top Russian players including world no-1 Daniil Medvedev and other players from taking part in the premier grass court tournament amid the Ukraine war.

Tennis: US Open allows Russian, Belarusian players to compete under neutral flag