Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the nations of Russia and Belarus have been ostracized by the sports world. Now their tennis players are excluded from Wimbledon.
Among them is the second in the world rankings.
According to unanimous media reports, no tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus are to be admitted to the grass classic in Wimbledon this year. The organizers are reacting to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, as reported by the “New York Times” and the “Times” on Wednesday. They referred to sources close to the organizers of the most important of all four Grand Slam tournaments.
According to the Times information, after weeks of talks with the British government, the Wimbledon organizers consider the exclusion of professionals from neighboring countries Russia and Belarus, which are generally regarded as aggressors, to be the most practicable solution. The Kremlin in Moscow described a possible ban on activists from Russia as “unacceptable”.
Wimbledon as the first event without Russian professionals
For example, an exclusion would affect world number two Daniil Medvedev from Russia and two-time Grand Slam tournament winner Victoria Asarenka from Belarus. Likewise last year’s semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka.
The third Grand Slam tournament of the year takes place from June 27th to July 10th. Wimbledon would be the first event to ban tennis pros because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The organizers initially did not comment on the reports.
The intended exclusion regulation could therefore possibly extend to all English lawn 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.
