Vera Zvonareva Debunks Not Entrying Poland “for reasons of state security and protection of public safety”

On Friday, former world number two Vera Zvonareva was denied entry to Poland ahead of next week’s BNP Paribas Warsaw Open for “reasons of national security and the protection of public safety”.

The Russian traveled on a French visa from Belgrade to Warsaw, but was not accepted and then stayed in the transit zone to board a flight to Podgorica, Montenegro.
In a statement released by the Polish Interior Ministry on Saturday, the decision was taken on the grounds that Zvonareva “is on the list of persons who are not allowed to stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland.”

Their argument concludes: “Poland has repeatedly opposed the Putin and Lukashenko regimes, refusing to allow supporters of Russia and Belarus’ actions into our country.

Aware of the situation, the WTA posted a response on Twitter. “The safety and health of all players is the WTA’s top priority. Vera has left Poland and we will be assessing the matter further with this event.

Zvonareva, 38, was knocked out in the doubles quarter-finals at Wimbledon alongside Laura Siegemund. In 2010, she finished second in singles at Wimbledon and the US Open and won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.