Wimbledon confirmed: Russians and Belarusians are not allowed to participate in 2022
Because of the war in Ukraine, Wimbledon will take place without tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus this year. This was announced by the organizers of the most important of all four Grand Slam tournaments on Wednesday. The Kremlin in Moscow had previously described a possible ban on activists from Russia as "unacceptable".
by SID
last edit: Apr 20, 2022, 04:56 pm
"We are aware that this is a tough decision for the individual athletes affected," said Wimbledon boss Ian Hewitt: "It is sad that they have to suffer from the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime." The two-week tournament begins on June 27th.
According to the Times, after weeks of talks with the British government, the Wimbledon organizers believed that the most practical solution would be to exclude professionals from countries that are generally regarded as aggressors. Downing Street representatives 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.
The scene had previously 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.
The Times also reported that the Wimbledon organizers also justified their decision with the concern 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 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.