Wimbledon will allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian tennis players this year, as long as they play with a neutral flag. The third Grand Slam of the season, the only one played on grass, banned the entry of these players last year due to the invasion of Ukrainewhich resulted in the ATP and the WTA did not distribute the points corresponding to the tournament and that both the All England Tennis Club and the British Tennis Federation received economic sanctions.
Wimbledon has explained that shows of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine are prohibited and that players who receive funds from the Russian or Belarusian state, including companies controlled by these governments, will be banned. In reaching this decision, the All England Club has taken into consideration the individual vision of the athletes, in conjunction with the British Government, the ATP, the WTA, the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and the LTA (English Federation).
Likewise, Wimbledon has criticized the “disappointing reaction” by some of the governing bodies after the veto last year, referring to the sanctions, which reached two million euros, by the ATP and the WTA, and assured that if repeated this year would have endangered the interest of the players, the fans, Wimbledon and British tennis.
The ATP and WTA have threatened Wimbledon in recent weeks with withdrawing the license of pre-Grand Slam tournaments held on British soil if the ban on Russians is maintained.
The All England Tennis Club has also cited as one of the reasons for reopening the door to Russians and Belarusians that in the rest of the events outside the United Kingdom, they could compete as long as they used a neutral flag. “We believe that the union between the Grand Slams is extremely important in today’s tennis,” the club said in a statement. Thus, Daniil Medvedevcurrent number five in the world and best Russian racket, and Aryna Sabalenkathe current Australian Open champion, along with the rest of the Russian and Belarusian tennis players, will be able to participate in the next Wimbledon championship, which will be held from July 2 to 16.
“We completely condemn the invasion of Russia and wholeheartedly stand with the people of Ukraine. This has been a very difficult decision to make, one not chosen lightly or with little consideration for those who will be affected. If the As things change between now and the start of the tournament, we will respond,” said Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Club.
