Fans Demand Ban on Daniil Medvedev and Others for Participation in Exhibition Bankrolled by Company Funding Russia’s War Against Ukraine- “Disgusting”

Northern Palmyra Trophies is an exhibition tournament, the fourth edition of which is scheduled to be held from November 29-30. The participation of players has once again caused controversy.

It is because Northern Palmyra Trophies is bankrolled by Gazprom, one of the largest oil producers in Russia, which is also funding the country’s war against Ukraine. The players expected to feature include Daniil Medvedev, whose season ended at the Paris Masters with a three-set defeat to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.

Medvedev’s title drought ended at the Almaty Open, where he defeated Corentin Moutet, winning his first title since the 2023 Italian Open. The 2021 US Open champion dealt with lots of ups and downs this season as he, apart from making deep runs in a few events, suffered quite a few early-round exits, including in the four Grand Slam events.

Apart from Medvedev, Alexander Bublik has also signed up. Bublik ended the 2025 season with the third-most singles titles on the men’s tour, winning at the Halle Open by defeating Medvedev, the Swiss Open against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, the Austrian Open Kitzbuhel against Arthur Cazaux, and the Hangzhou Open by defeating Valentin Royer.

Tallon Griekspoor will also feature, as well as Mansour Bahrami, Janko Tipsarevic, and Mikhail Youzhny, the three retired players. Bahrami and Tipsarevic will play as captains. Griekspoor was scheduled to play last year, but he withdrew due to injury problems. The NPT is an unsanctioned exhibition event, so players did not deal with penalties from the ATP or the WTA.

From the women’s side, the players to feature are Veronika Kudermetova, Yulia Putintseva, Diana Shnaider, and Anastasia Potapova. Kudermetova faced criticism in 2023 for spending time at a tennis academy that supports the war. She was also forced to remove the Russian sponsor Tatneft from her kit to participate in Wimbledon.

Tatneft has been banned by the European Union. She couldn’t play at the 2022 Wimbledon, and neither could other Russian and Belarusian athletes, as Wimbledon banned players from these two countries, lifting the ban the following season.

🤬Top Russian tennis players to take part in an exhibition tournament bankrolled by Gazprom, a company funding the war against Ukraine

The organizers of the Northern Palmyra Trophies (the NPT), a team exhibition tournament, expect appearances from Daniil Medvedev, Karen… pic.twitter.com/Q7hhoG56PF

— Ukrainian Tennis • BTU (@ukrtennis_eng) November 17, 2025

Fans slam the players for participating in the NPT

Fans did not expect Daniil Medvedev to sign up for the NPT. They are now demanding a ban on the former World No.1 as well as on other participants.

Check out their reactions here:

Sad to see Medvedev and Shnaider there. The first comes as no surprise, awful players.

— Pawczi (@paw_czi) November 17, 2025

The ATP and WTA should sanction any players who participate in this event. This is unacceptable. Agreeing to play a tournament for a company that is actively funding the war/invasion of Ukraine is disgusting

— Jayda (@madisliv) November 17, 2025

I wonder if they had a choice… 🤷‍♀️ Still, very surprised about Medvedev.

— Anna Ostrowska-Wilk 🇵🇱🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@wilkostroska) November 18, 2025

Lots of players l will no longer support. Medvedev is a surprise, but Khachanov is a bigger one. He’s supposedly all about Armenian rights. Happy to see @AndreyRublev97 not among them.

— She’s Come Undone (@ShesCome_Undone) November 17, 2025

Given the current climate, top players must carefully consider the reputational risk. Association with state-owned entities like Gazprom, heavily sanctioned for its role in the war, creates significant ethical and professional complications. Tread carefully. 🤔

— Orion Cross (@MarinaPerspec) November 18, 2025

@Griekii slecht idee…..

— Shhhh (@Jxxxxx024) November 18, 2025

Not surprised in the slightest by this list.

— Jeniffer L. Estrada (@Jeniestra) November 18, 2025

@DaniilMedwed why 😢

— Wholesome (Predictoooor) (@imWholesum) November 18, 2025

Russian and Belarusian tennis players continue to play as neutral athletes in the ATP and WTA-sanctioned events. Several athletes from these countries have changed their nationalities to get more opportunities. Belarusian and Russian players are also banned from team events, Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.

Daniil Medvedev to play in India

Medvedev is set to play the World Tennis League, which is scheduled to start on November 17. The fourth edition of the tournament will he held at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium.

Apart from Medvedev, players such as Elena Rybakina, Nick Kyrgios, Paula Badosa, and Gael Monfils will also feature. Rybakina, in spite of lots of ups and downs, ended the season on a high note, lifting her career’s first WTA Finals title by defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, winning the season’s third title following the Strasbourg Open and the Ningbo Open.

I’ve heard so much about the tennis culture in India, and I’m thrilled to make my debut here with WTL. I’m ready to enjoy every moment on the court with my team.

Elena Rybakina said

From India’s side, apart from 2024 Australian Open doubles champion Rohan Bopanna, the home side includes Sumit Nagal, Shrivalli Bhamidipati, Yuki Bhambri, Ankita Raina, and Maaya Revathi. As per the format, four teams will play in the round-robin stage, and the teams that top the group will play in the finals.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Addresses Engagement Rumors With Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic After ATP Finals Win