I can't really go back to Russia: Saville

She also explained she still hadn't herself decided yet whether to compete at the world's biggest tournament because of its controversial ranking points ban.

Saville has been vocal in protesting against her birth country's invasion of Ukraine, including a tweet demanding: "Putin, stop the war".

Australian player Luke Saville has also spoken about wife Daria's worries over her parents, who are still in Moscow. 

Speaking at the French Open where she's eased into a second-round clash with double Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova, she again reiterated her support for her Ukrainian colleagues.

But asked if she had any sympathy for the Russians banned from the world's biggest tournament, she sounded pained as she replied: "Yes and no … it's yeah, it's tough, it's hard for me also to comment.

"Already I can't really go back to Russia now ...

"I definitely do support the Ukrainian players … imagine not having a home."

Saville, who was formerly Daria Gavrilova before her marriage to Saville, was also conflicted over whether the All England Club had made the right call to bar Russian and Belarusian players from next month's tournament.

"It's a grey area because I have way too many friends in Russia," said Saville, who became an Australian citizen in 2015.

"Imagine (Daria) Kasatkina, one of my best friends. I want her to play, but they also understand the decision too."

Asked if it was difficult for her because of these personal friendships, she said: "I still treat everyone the same. I don't change how I treat people. Yeah, nothing has changed for me."

As for her own participation at Wimbledon, Saville was also in a dilemma after the WTA tour's decision not to award ranking points for the tournament.

"It's a bit tricky with points. I have to make a decision whether it's worth it to play (Wimbledon) qualifying or maybe I play the week before. I'm still weighing it up.

"The prize money at Wimbledon is good, That's why I'd like to qualify, but I'll make that decision later.

"I mean, it's tough. I think Wimbledon's still going to be Wimbledon. Some players say it's an exhibition - I don't think it's ever going to be an exhibition.

"Whoever wins Wimbledon is still going to be a Wimbledon champion.

"It's tricky but there's some decisions I'm going to have to take. Of course, the majority of people would have preferred to play with points and I kind of feel bad for Ukrainian girls and guys because you read the Russian news and …."

Her voice tailed off and her distress over what's happening in Ukraine was summed up one by final poignant observation.

"There is worse things happening than not playing Wimbledon," she said.