
Russia's Daria Kasatkina's management say a flag error could have "strong implications" for the player after she was wrongly listed as representing Spain at a WTA Tour draw ceremony - leading to suggestions she had switched allegiance.
BBC Sport has been told Kasatkina, who has criticised Russia's LGBT rules and opposed the war in Ukraine, has not switched allegiance.
The appearance of the Spanish flag next to the world number 11's name during the Abu Dhabi Open draw attracted attention, sparking online discussion that she had decided to stop representing Russia.
"It is incorrect and we can categorically deny she is switching to Spain," Kasatkina's management told BBC Sport.
Later on Sunday, tournament organisers apologised to 27-year-old Kasatkina for the error.
"This was an entirely administrative mistake and has now been corrected," they said.
Kasatkina, who is one of a few openly gay players on the WTA Tour, publicly came out in a video interview, with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko in July 2022.
In the same video, the 2022 French Open semi-finalist called for an end to Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. She described the war as "a complete nightmare".
BBC Sport has been told Kasatkina, who has criticised Russia's LGBT rules and opposed the war in Ukraine, has not switched allegiance.
The appearance of the Spanish flag next to the world number 11's name during the Abu Dhabi Open draw attracted attention, sparking online discussion that she had decided to stop representing Russia.
"It is incorrect and we can categorically deny she is switching to Spain," Kasatkina's management told BBC Sport.
Later on Sunday, tournament organisers apologised to 27-year-old Kasatkina for the error.
"This was an entirely administrative mistake and has now been corrected," they said.
Kasatkina, who is one of a few openly gay players on the WTA Tour, publicly came out in a video interview, with Russian blogger Vitya Kravchenko in July 2022.
In the same video, the 2022 French Open semi-finalist called for an end to Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. She described the war as "a complete nightmare".
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