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Criticism of Wimbledon-Aus for Russia players

Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev spoke – as he described it himself – from the heart. The German was anything but happy with the Wimbledon organizers’ decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian tennis professionals from the classic lawn. “The decision shows that the different tennis communities don’t stand together,” said the 25-year-old on Friday. “We play with one rule all year round on the men’s tour. Namely, that Russian tennis players are not allowed to play under the Russian flag.”

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Zverev emphasized in Munich that he saw no reason to exclude individual players in Wimbledon. At the same time, Germany’s best tennis player supported the decision of the world association ITF to exclude Russia and Belarus from team competitions such as the Davis Cup. “I think that’s absolutely correct. Because these are really sanctions against Russia,” said Zverev.

In response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the Wimbledon organizers decided that professionals from Russia and Belarus would not be allowed to take part in the grass classic in the summer. In addition to world number two Daniil Medvedev, Zverev’s good buddy Andrei Rublev is also affected. As it became known on Friday, the Italian government is also examining a possible exclusion of Russian tennis professionals from the tournament in Rome in May.

The women’s tennis organization WTA is now considering sanctions against Wimbledon – this was reported by the French sports newspaper “L’Equipe”, citing a corresponding email from WTA boss Steve Simon. In it, the American condemned the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Simon also points out that no player has ever been denied participation in a tournament due to the actions of their respective government.

Djokovic also criticizes going it alone

This is also the opinion of Zverev, who described the war as “inhuman”. “This shouldn’t happen in the world. Everything else, including sport, is currently in third or fourth place,” explained the man from Hamburg. However, Wimbledon is currently doing “what they want”. Rublev, for example, has lived in Spain for many years, Medvedev in France. “In the end, they can’t help it that they come from Russia,” said Zverev, who is in contact with “one of his best friends” Rublev.

The Russian was just as disappointed with the decision as his compatriot Karen Khachanov. “I am saddened and at a loss that these things are happening right now, that we have got to this point,” Khachanov said on Friday. Rublev had offered to donate his Wimbledon prize money. “I do think that these individual athletes should be given a chance to show that they are against war. If Andrej wants to donate all his prize money, why shouldn’t he play in Wimbledon?” Zverev asked.

The 25-year-old also pointed out other sporting consequences of the Wimbledon decision. “At some point, the tennis ranking list doesn’t make sense either. If you’re not allowed to play a Grand Slam as a top player, it doesn’t make sense to have the ranking,” said Zverev.

The decision of the Wimbledon organizers also causes a lot of controversy among current and former professionals. Serbian top star Novak Djokovic and tennis icon Martina Navratilova criticized going it alone. The Russian Darja Kasatkina reacted with understanding. Zverev now sees the professional organizations ATP, WTA and ITF as having a duty: “We are all tennis players. we are all one We are a big family.”

Since the beginning of the war, many tennis professionals, including the top Ukrainian player Yelena Switolina, have been demanding a clearer stance from their Russian colleagues. The problem: Anyone who publicly speaks out against the war in Russia faces criminal consequences as well as the complete loss of their livelihood. The word war may not be used publicly, but only the phrase “special military operation” specified by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

Zverev himself was born in Hamburg and has Russian parents. His brother Mischa is from Moscow. As his brother’s manager, Mischa also works with the Ukrainian Sergei Bubka junior.

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