Natela Dzalamidze changes nationality from Russia to Georgia and will play at Wimbledon

Natela Dzalamidze is ranked 43rd in the world in doubles and will partner Aleksandra Krunic in the women’s doubles event at Wimbledon next week

Natela Dzalamidze at the Nature Valley Open Tennis in Nottingham in 2018 Image Credit: Action Plus / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

June 20, 2022

The request of Russian tennis player Natela Dzalamidze to switch her nationality to Georgia has been approved by tennis officials which will make her eligible to play at Wimbledon next week.

Natela Dzalamidze, the current world No 43 in doubles on the women’s tour, had applied for a change of nationalities to Georgia which has been approved by the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Tour and the ITF (International Tennis Federation), paving the way for her to play at the All England Club next week. It is not known at this point when the request for changing of nationalities was first made.

Dzalamidze scheduled with Krunic

Natela Dzalamidze, aged 29, is scheduled to partner with Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic in the women’s doubles event at Wimbledon and could also enter the mixed doubles draw.

Dzalamidze won 2 WTA titles in 2021; Linz (with Kamilla Rakhimova) and Cluj-Napoca (Kaja Juvan). She also reached the final in Istanbul earlier this year with Rakhimova.

The All England Club and the Lawn Tennis Association have banned Russian and Belarusian players form competing at Wimbledon and other tournaments in the United Kingdom on account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Wimbledon alone in the four majors

As a result of the ban, men’s world No 1 Daniil Medvedev and No 7 Andrey Rublev, and women’s top 10 player Aryna Sabalenka and two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka are among those who will not be able to compete at the All England Club.

Wimbledon is the only of the four Grand Slams to stake such a stand. Russian and Belarusian players were allowed to compete at Roland-Garros and will be able to play at the US Open later this year.

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