Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal settled on the Wimbledon decision on Russian and Belarusian tennis players

The news from British lands fell like a bomb in the world of tennis. The decision, known a few weeks ago, by the organizers of Wimbledon, the most traditional tournament on the circuit, to prohibit the participation of Russian and Belarusian competitors from the invasion of Ukraine generated a thousand and one controversies. Above all, voices have been raised against it, arguing that athletes have nothing to do with political decisions. However, those who run All England are adamant.

Now, it is the very protagonists of the ATP Tour who manifest themselves on this controversial determination. And they are not just any players, but the heavyweights of the circuit. So much Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal spoke today about these issues that affect everyone in the world of tennis.

The first to settle his position was the Serbian, who suffered a similar decision earlier in the year, when he was expelled from the Australian Open for not being vaccinated against Covid. “It is not an easy situation, I have spoken with some of the Russian players, separated from one of the biggest tournaments. There is frustration. The ATP is looking at the situation and what it can do, I haven’t talked to them,” he stated.

”I went through something similar at the beginning of the year, it’s frustrating that they don’t let you play. It is not fair, they are within their rights and now I suppose that it is our organization that has to think about its decision, if it maintains the points that Wimbledon gives, removes 50%, removes them or whatever. A more realistic option is to protect the points of the Russian and Belarusian players who are not playing”, the world number 1 slipped in the preview of the Madrid tournament, in which he will debut this week in the 32nd final.

After the incident in Australia, Djokovic played three tournaments: he lost in the quarterfinals in Dubai, was quickly eliminated in Monte Carlo and played the decisive match in Belgrade last week, when he fell to Andrey Rublev.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, who today carried out the last training sessions on his land ahead of the presentation at the Masters 1000 in Madrid (where he will start directly from the 32nd final), also referred to these issues that have caused a stir on the circuit . “It is very unfair in the face of my colleagues: what is their fault for what is happening with the war. I feel sorry for them and I wish it wasn’t like that, but in the end we know that this is what it is. Let’s see if we make any kind of decision on that. When the government puts in place some measures, you have to follow them. In this case, it is Wimbledon that makes that decision without having to make it. The Grand Slams are the tournaments that we score the most. We will have to see what measures are taken. It is a very unfair thing for them, ”said Rafa, leaving no doubt about his position.

The man born in Manacor arrives in Madrid far from his best form, something that he himself took it upon himself to make clear from his networks during the week: “Despite arriving just in preparation and being difficult, I really want to play and play at home since the opportunities are few. To try to do it in the best possible way”, he expressed.

Nadal appeared the day before yesterday at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he was applauded before the match in which Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol 4-0. Rafa, honorary member of the White House, kicked off the match in which those led by Carlo Ancelotti became champions of LaLiga.