Adrian Mannarino has insisted that his decision to play an event in Russia during the off-season was not politically motivated.
The Frenchman was quizzed about the topic following his first round win over Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open which he won in five sets. Last month Mannarino took part in the Northern Palmyra Trophies exhibition which was sponsored by Gazprom. An energy giant that is majority-owned by the Russian government. Russia is currently banned from holding Tour-level events as a result of the war in Ukraine. However, players are allowed to play exhibition matches in the country because they are independent contractors.
Lesia Tsurenko was among a series of Ukrainians who at the time condemned their peers for playing in Russia due to the ongoing war. In an interview with Politico last month, she claimed that Mannarino was among players who didn’t respond to her message asking them not to participate.
“I had no contact with her, so I don’t know.” He said on Monday when asked if he had spoken with Tsurenko.
Reluctant to get drawn into a conversation on the matter, the world No.19 insisted that he was just doing his job and his participation did not mean that he supported anything. Other non-Russian players who also took part in the team competition include Roberto Bautista Agut and Laslo Djere.
“I’m a professional tennis player. I’m not into politics or anything. I just went there. I did my job. That’s what I did.” Mannarino states.
“I’m not supporting anything. That was a private event. That was not anything about political support. There’s nothing to talk about.”
Under current rules set out by tennis’ governing bodies, Russian and Belarusian players are free to play on the Tour but only as neutral athletes. Belarus is accused of supporting Russia in the war. They are also currently suspended from participating in team events such as the Davis Cup.
Mannarino is seeded 20th at the Australian Open this year and will play Spain’s Jaume Munar in the second round. He is making his 15th appearance at Melbourne Park with his best run being to the last 16 in 2022.
