Australian tennis bosses stepped in after Thanasi Kokkinakis defied advice by competing in a Russian exhibition.
The world No. 71 entered the North Palmyra Trophies event in St Petersburg at the end of November.
In an interview for the tournament, he said the city and the people were “really nice”.
It has now emerged that Kokkinakis was reportedly strongly advised against going to Russia to compete. The tournament is said to be backed by state-owned energy giant Gazprom, which is blacklisted by the Australian federal government.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tennis Australia has now issued a statement warning players not to compete in Russian exhibition tournaments.
“For several years, Tennis Australia has publicly and privately supported Ukraine athletes and sought and abided by federal government policy and recommendations in regard to Russia. This support and compliance continues,” it read.
“We advise athletes against competing in Russia and are in ongoing discussions with DFAT to provide education to players about the potential ramifications for doing business in this area.”
They also reported that Kokkinakis, who is managed by Tennis Australia’s player management team, was “strongly advised” not to compete in the country.
The 28-year-old was listed as a participating player on the North Palmyra Trophies tournament website. In singles, he played against Karen Khachanov and Roberto Bautista Agut.
Kokkinakis also appeared on camera in an interview for the tournament. He remembered visiting St Petersburg in 2015 and said: “Everyone is so nice here.
“People are lovely. It’s a really nice city so hopefully I can explain a little bit more. Maybe after the next few days I can tell you what’s nice.”
The ATP and WTA Tours previously held tournaments in St Petersburg and other Russian cities before the war in Ukraine started. Players from Russia and Belarus have also competed as neutrals since 2022.
The North Palmyra Trophies has been staged for the last three years. In 2023, the WTA said it was “not supportive” of the event but did not stop its players from competing.
The ATP has also not imposed sanctions on players for entering Russian exhibition events during the off-season, as players are independent contractors and can choose their schedules.
The world No. 71 skipped the Brisbane International in the first week of the 2025 season. Kokkinakis then entered the Adelaide International but withdrew before his quarter-final.
The Aussie lost his second-round singles match at Melbourne Park and was visibly struggling with a pec injury. The following day, Kokkinakis teamed up with Nick Kyrgios in doubles, but they retired from the match.
Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge criticised Kokkinakis for playing lucrative exhibition events and jeopardising his body for the regular tennis season.
The 28-year-old hit back, saying: “We’re trying to make a living as much as he is. Unfortunately, ATP sometimes, if you make a semifinal of a 250 event, you don’t get as much as what you would playing an exhibition.”
Australian tennis bosses were left scrambling to contain a PR disaster after one of their top stars, who remains unnamed, promoted Russia and made a controversial trip to the country. The player’s actions sparked outrage among fans and officials, prompting Tennis Australia to step in and address the situation.
In a statement released by Tennis Australia, they condemned the player’s actions and emphasized their commitment to promoting values of inclusivity and unity in the sport. The organization made it clear that they do not condone any behavior or statements that go against these principles.
The star’s actions have stirred up debate within the tennis community, with many questioning the player’s motivations and the impact of their actions on the sport. Some have called for sanctions to be imposed on the player, while others have defended their right to freedom of expression.
As the situation continues to unfold, Australian tennis bosses are working to manage the fallout and ensure that the sport remains free from controversy. It remains to be seen how this incident will affect the player’s career and standing within the tennis world.
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