- Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been banned from playing at Wimbledon
- Novak Djokovic said he could not support the decision and that politics should not interfere with sports
- The decision means that men’s world number two, Daniil Medvedev, will be unable to compete in the Grand Slam event
- Elina Svitolina, said that Russian and Belarusian players should be permitted to compete if they oppose Vladimir Putin’s war
In response to the Russia invasion of Ukraine, world number one Novak Djokovic has criticized Wimbledon organizers for their ‘crazy’ decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tournament.
The defending Wimbledon men’s singles champion, Novak Djokovic, said he ‘cannot support the action by the All England Club, adding that politics interfering with sport is ‘not good.’
Tennis world no 1 Novak Djokovic. Photo: Forbes
The decision means that men’s world number two, Daniil Medvedev, will be unable to compete in the Grand Slam event, which runs from June 27 to July 10.
Other affected players include world No.26 Karen Khachanov and world No.8 Andry Rublev.
World No.15 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will also miss Wimbledon.
Threats of legal action and the potential loss of ranking points have been directed at Wimbledon as a result of many top 100 players being barred from competing.
The ATP and WTA Tours, which are representative organizations for players, have voiced concern about the ban and are angered at the thought of members being denied access to high-profile opportunities to earn prize money and points.
Wimbledon, however, could not bear the prospect of players from pariah states lifting its trophies in this, of all years, the Centre Court’s Centenary.
This triggered the action on Wednesday, which the ATP and WTA were only informed of late Tuesday afternoon.
‘I will always condemn war, I will never support war being myself a child of war,’ Djokovic, whose chances of retaining his Wimbledon crown have been boosted by the absence of Medvedev, said during the Serbia Open.
Daniil Medvedev will not play in Wimbledon due to the ban. Photo: Surprise Sports
‘I know how much emotional trauma it leaves. In Serbia, we all know what happened in 1999. In the Balkans, we have had many wars in recent history.
‘However, I cannot support the decision of Wimbledon. I think it is crazy. When politics interferes with sport, the result is not good.’
Former world number three Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals three years ago, said that Russian and Belarusian players should be permitted to compete if they oppose Vladimir Putin’s war.
‘The best way is not to ban them completely, but make them speak about the war in Ukraine, ask them if they support the invasion in Ukraine, and support the government,’ Svitolina told Sky News.
‘And if they can answer those questions and say they don’t support it [the war], they don’t support Putin; they should be allowed to participate.’
The ATP called the decision “unfair” and claimed it could “create a harmful example for the sport,” while the WTA said it was “disappointed” by the “discriminatory” move.
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