John Isner Calls Banning of Russian Flags in Tennis ‘Ridiculous’

Former World No.8 John Isner wants the tennis players from Russia and Belarus to represent their countries in tournaments.

John Isner Calls Banning of Russian Flags in Tennis ‘Ridiculous’

John Isner (Image via X/ATP Tour)

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As Russian and Belarusian flags are still not displayed beside tennis players’ names because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, American former tennis pro John Isner called the entire thing ridiculous. He took to X to question this decision, which has now once again sparked a debate.

On Wednesday (August 6), Russian ace Karen Khachanov secured a spot in the final of the Canadian Open after three tough sets against first seed Alexander Zverev. He will next be locking horns with Ben Shelton, who knocked out compatriot Taylor Fritz to reach his first Masters 1000 final. Khachanov will be playing his second Masters 1000 final for his career’s second title in this category.

Since Khachanov is Russian, he is playing the tournament as a neutral athlete. In fact, he and several others from these two countries across WTA and ATP, including women’s World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, have been playing as neutral athletes since 2022.

Can the Russian tennis players get their flag back? Bit ridiculous now.

John Isner wrote

Check out his post here:

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) wasted no time in banning the Belarusian and Russian players, though they’re allowed to play as individual athletes. Wimbledon went one step further by completely banning them, but lifted the ban the following year.

John Isner backs Ben Shelton to win the Canadian Open

Before this season, Ben Shelton had never progressed beyond the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 tournament, while at the Canadian Open, the 22-year-old had never played a third round. Shelton now needs only to win to lift his career’s biggest title.

Ben Shelton (2)
Ben Shelton (Image via X/Joao Fonseca Updates)

He has met his final opponent, Karen Khachanov, once- in this year’s Indian Wells third round, which Shelton won in straight sets. A few days ago, in the Nothing Major podcast, former World No.8 John Isner backed his compatriot to win the Toronto Masters 1000.

Ben’s trajectory is just so good right now, how he is steadily improving. I think he is setting himself up eventually for something really, really big. I’m so impressed with Ben.

Shelton has played just one final this season- at the BMW Open, which he lost to Alexander Zverev. He hasn’t yet won a title since his U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships victory last year. Shelton also hasn’t yet lifted a trophy in the 500 or above category since the 2023 Japan Open.

By beating Taylor Fritz in the semifinals, Shelton has tied the head-to-head record to 1-1. He has registered consecutive top 10 wins, as before knocking out the 2024 US Open finalist, Shelton had defeated Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.

John Isner preferred to play in Montreal

The two events- the WTA and the ATP are held in different locations, in Montreal and Toronto, and the organizers keep switching the cities. This year’s men’s events are held at the Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, while those of the women’s are underway at the IGA Stadium. During the Nothing Major podcast, Isner revealed which city he preferred to play in.

John Isner (2)
John Isner (Image via X/Relevant Tennis)

I like how they do it. It’s a different look every year. I personally preferred Montreal. The city in my mind, I preferred it. I thought the atmosphere on site, there were crazy tennis fans there in a good way. But both tournaments were very solid, and I always enjoyed going up there. But I enjoyed the back and forth of it.

At the Canadian Open, Isner had never progressed beyond the semifinals, reaching the stage in 2012 and 2021. The only Masters 1000 title Isner won was the 2018 Miami Open. Apart from Miami, the 2018 Wimbledon semifinalist made it to four more Masters 1000 finals.

Also read: Ben Shelton Reveals He’s “Comfortable” About His Evolution Following His Quarter-Finals Win Over Alex de Minaur in Toronto