Facts: The WTA tournament in Båstad
The women’s WTA tournament in Båstad is decided on July 10–15, and belongs to the lowest category of tournaments on the tour.
It partially clashes with Wimbledon.
The total prize money is $115,000.
There are already four Swedes in the starting field: Rebecca Peterson, Caijsa Hennemann, Kajsa Rinaldo Persson and Mirjam Björklund.
Last year’s winner was Yang Su-Jeong, the year before that Nuria Parrizas Dias.
The men’s ATP tournament in Båstad will be decided on July 17–23.
In many sports, there is a complete stop to competition for Russians and Belarusians since Ukraine was invaded in February 2022.
But the tennis world thinks differently. The Russians Anna Kalinskaja, Kamilla Rakhimova and Polina Kudermetova are registered for Båstad – as well as star Andrey Rublev on the men’s side.
Russian players are therefore welcome on the ATP and WTA tour – but under a neutral flag.
“Completely Flagless”
The explanation?
According to the rules, it is simply not possible to prevent players from signing up for the tournament, says tournament manager in Båstad, Christer Hult.
— Both the WTA and the ATP tour have decided that in all countries around the world they are allowed to compete as individuals.
— They do not represent their country, they are completely flagless. It is not to discriminate.
At the French Championships in June, Polish world number one Iga Swiatek supported Ukraine by wearing a flag in the country’s colors on his cap. Stock image. Get reactions
The only exception could be if a country’s government says that they are not allowed to practice the profession within the country’s borders, explains Christer Hulth.
— Then we have to tell them that they are not allowed. It happened last year in England.
At last year’s Wimbledon, Russian and Belarusian players were banned from playing – a unique decision in the world of tennis. The decision later led to the WTA and ATP tours not awarding ranking points in the classic grand slam tournament.
This year, however, Wimbledon has lifted the ban in the tournament.
— They received sympathy from other players, that they were not allowed to play Wimbledon.
TT: Have you received reactions from the audience and future visitors in Båstad?
— Very few and occasional.
Shake hands?
It was different in the French championships earlier in June, where the war was very much remembered. The tournament was marred by controversy as Ukrainian players refused to shake hands with Russians and Belarusians after matches.
Currently, a Ukrainian, Kateryna Baindl, is registered with Båstad. How will it be in the event of a possible Russian meeting?
— Ukrainian players stand for what they stand for. As we saw in Paris, some hold hands, and some don’t, says Fredrik “Fidde” Rosengren, tennis commentator and former Swedish Davis Cup captain.
The presence of the Russian players must be discussed in society. But in the world of tennis, it is no big deal that they play, according to Rosengren.
“I think everyone thinks it’s okay that everyone gets to play,” he says and continues:
— Because all players do not live in their home country but are often posted abroad – such as Dubai, Spain, Monte Carlo. When they represent themselves it’s quite right, they can’t help that they were born in Russia.
— But I think it’s perfectly fine that Russia and Belarus as a country are not allowed to play in the Olympics. They absolutely must not be allowed to do that.