The Australian Open will allow Russian players to compete at the tournament ©Getty Images

Tennis Australia has rejected calls for players from Russia to be banned from the 2023 Australian Open, due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

A decision did not have to made at last year's edition, as the tournament had concluded prior to the war beginning.

The Lawn Tennis Association and All England Lawn Tennis Club were fined by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for banning Russian and Belarusian players from its 2022 tournament.

Ranking points were not awarded at the tournament.

The Australian Open had rigorous rules regarding COVID-19 prevention in 2021 and 2022, but its organisers confirmed it would not seek to ban athletes.

"Players from Russia and Belarus are only able to compete in international tennis events as individuals - and without flags or country recognition - which will be the case for Australian Open 2023," said Tennis Australia in a statement.

"Russia and Belarus were immediately suspended from all tennis team competition and official WTA and ATP Tour events in those countries were cancelled."

Daniil Medvedev is the most notable Russian who missed Wimbledon ©Getty Images
Daniil Medvedev is the most notable Russian who missed Wimbledon ©Getty Images

Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko was opposed to the idea of letting Russians play, saying organisers should stand in solidarity with the country.

"Russia manipulates sport and sportspeople to project an image to the world, just as Nazi Germany did," he said. 

"They engage in massive doping programmes to buy sporting success as part of their propaganda. 

"When we allow sportspeople from Russia to participate in the Australian Open, we do exactly what [Russian President] Putin wants.

"It doesn't matter what flag Russian Federation players compete under. 

"It has Ukrainian blood on it."

Players from Russia and Belarus are competing neutrally in International Tennis Federation events, with the organisation choosing not to adopt the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendations which would have banned players and officials outright.

Russia invaded Ukraine - with assistance from Belarus - on February 24 last year, with the IOC recommending measures four days later.

Former world number one and Russian player Daniil Medvedev previously said the Russian invasion of Ukraine was "very upsetting".