ATP and WTA criticize Wimbledon-Aus for Russians and Belarusians
The players' associations ATP and WTA have sharply criticized the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian tennis players from the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon.
by SID
last edit: Apr 20, 2022, 08:56 pm
The decision was "unfair" and had "the potential to create a harmful precedent," said the ATP, which is responsible for men's tournaments. The women's association WTA was less later also "very disappointed" by the severe sanction.
The ATP had already expressed their displeasure in the afternoon. "Discrimination on the basis of nationality is a breach of our agreement with Wimbledon that players' participation is based solely on the ATP rankings," the players' association said. The WTA argued similarly.
The ATP also emphasized that players from Russia and Belarus can continue to participate in tournaments under a neutral flag. "So far, this position has also been shared by all professional tennis," the statement said. The ATP condemns the Russian invasion "strongly" and "stands in solidarity with the millions of innocent people affected by the war."
Wimbledon organizers decided on Wednesday to exclude players like top Russian player Daniil Medvedev and last year's Belarusian semi-finalist Aryna Sabalenka for attacking Ukraine.