Wimbledon: Russian-born Natela Dzalamidze switches nationality to Georgian
- Published
Natela Dzalamidze is ranked 43rd in the world in women's doubles
Russia-born doubles player Natela Dzalamidze will be able to compete at Wimbledon after changing her nationality to represent Georgia.
Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian players this year because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Dzalamidze, 29, is on the Wimbledon entry list as Georgian, having competed at the French Open in May under a neutral flag as Russians had to.
She is set to partner Serb Aleksandra Krunic in the women's doubles.
The grass-court Grand Slam starts on Monday, 27 June, with Russian world number one men's singles player Daniil Medvedev among those barred from competing.
The All England Club said it has no involvement in players' change of nationality, saying in a statement: "Player nationality, defined as the flag they play under at professional events, is an agreed process that is governed by the tours and the ITF (International Tennis Federation)."
The women's tour, the WTA, said a player could change her nationality "by submitting the new passport and/or birth certificate for the WTA to officially have on file for them".
"In Natela's case, she submitted a Georgian passport and ID as she has dual citizenship, and, as a result, her nationality has been officially changed within the WTA system," the WTA said.
"This took place prior to the finalisation and release of the Wimbledon entry lists. Wimbledon used the nationalities reflected in the WTA system."
Dzalamidze, beaten in the first round of the women's and mixed doubles at Roland Garros, is ranked 43rd in the world in women's doubles.
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