JAKARTA - Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev compared Britney Griner's detention in Russia with Novak Djokovic who was barred from entering the United States and playing in the US Open.
In August, Griner, who is a two-time Olympic champion in basketball, was sentenced to nine years in Russian prison on drug charges. He was convicted of smuggling and possessing marijuana.
The 31-year-old admitted in court that she had marijuana oil when she was searched at Russian airport, but added that it was an " honest mistake".
Meanwhile, Medvedev, who is currently competing in the US Open, gave his views on Griner's case after winning the first round on Monday.
He compared how Djokovic couldn't take part in the US Open because of his refusal to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
"I think it's quite comparable to other situations," he said of the Griner case.
"Let's talk about Novak. He can't come to the country for any reason, because of different laws.
We can say does this law make sense? Because Americans can come back without a vaccine. Novak can't come here and he doesn't want to stay in the United States. He just wanted to play a tennis tournament and head home to Serbia.
"I don't know exactly the situation, but I think if he really has it, is it marijuana, then I don't know.
The law remains legal! If it is true that he (Griner) does not have the (tourism) they plant, then it is not good.
"But I don't know what it was and how it happened, so I can't say anything more."
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
