As part of their return, players from the two nations are playing as neutrals and are not allowed to receive state funding or have sponsorship from Russian or Belarusian companies. Britain is a major ally of Ukraine and continues to provide military support but there was no animosity from the crowd towards former world number one Azarenka as she edged past China's Yuan Yue 6-4 5-7 6-4 in the first round. "There are of course some incidents sometimes happens (at other events), but I felt like I was very welcomed everywhere. The world number two begins her Wimbledon campaign against Hungary's Panna Udvardy on Tuesday. Reporting by Christian Radnedge, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Victoria Azarenka, China’s Yue Yuan, Andrew Couldridge, Azarenka, Yuan Yue, Vika, Aryna Sabalenka, Hungary's Panna Udvardy, Christian Radnedge, Ed Osmond Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Victoria, Wimbledon, ATP, WTA, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Belarus, China’s Yue Yuan REUTERS, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Belarusian