Wimbledon organizers ban Russians and Belarusians from tournament

Updated on 4/20/2022 at 4:58 p.m

• Due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the organizers of Wimbledon have excluded tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus.
• This was announced by the organizer.
• The Kremlin described the ban as “unacceptable” in advance.

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Because of the Ukraine war, the organizers of the important Wimbledon tournament (June 27 to July 10) have decided to exclude tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus. This was announced by the organizer. The exclusion affects, for example, the second in the world rankings Daniil Medvedev from Russia and the two-time Grand Slam tournament winner Victoria Asarenka from Belarus.

Condemn Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. “In the face of such unwarranted and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to take any advantage of the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players in the tournament,” the All England Club said.

Wimbledon boss Ian Hewitt emphasized that all alternatives had been weighed. “We are aware that this decision is hard for those affected. And it is sad that they have to pay for the actions of the Russian regime’s leadership.”

Russia responded to media reports of ban

The “New York Times” and “The Times” were the first to report an impending ban – citing sources close to the organizers of the most important of all four Grand Slam tournaments. The Kremlin in Moscow reacted to the reports and described a possible ban on activists from Russia as “unacceptable”.

“Once again, athletes are being held hostage by any political bias, political intrigues, hostile actions against our country. This is unacceptable,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, according to the Interfax agency.

According to information from the “Times”, after weeks of talks with the British government, the Wimbledon organizers considered the exclusion of professionals from countries generally considered aggressors to be the most practicable solution. Downing Street officials had taken the approach that stars such as top Russian player Daniil Medvedev and last year’s Belarusian semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka should make written statements not supporting the war actions of their home countries and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian teams already excluded from team competitions

Until the “Times” report, the scene had expected the participation of Russian and Belarusian professionals in the three remaining Grand Slam tournaments of the year based on the regular ATP and WTA tournaments. At these events, activists from Russia and Belarus serve as neutral participants. The world association ITF had excluded the teams from Russia and Belarus from its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team competitions.

Also read: All current information on Putin’s war against Ukraine in the live ticker

Reason given by the organizers is also caring

The “Times” also reported that the Wimbledon organizers justify their decision with the care for the professionals concerned. Those responsible on London’s Church Road feared that the families of activists who distance themselves from the reasons and goals of the war could be exposed to reprisals from the regimes in Moscow and Minsk.

The exclusion rule extends to all English grass tournaments on the ATP and WTA tour in preparation for Wimbledon. At the French Open in Paris in May, professionals from Russia and Belarus must be strictly neutral in order to participate in the second Grand Slam tournament of the season. (afp/dpa/ska/ank)