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Wimbledon has barred all Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s championships due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
But the decision from the All England Club (AELTC) organisers has been condemned swiftly by the men’s and women’s tours, as well as by American great Martina Navratilova.
The move is the first time players have been banned on the grounds of nationality since the immediate post-World War Two era when German and Japanese players were excluded.
The world’s most celebrated tournament is the first tennis event to ban individual competitors from the two countries, meaning men’s world No.2 Daniil Medvedev, from Russia, and women’s fourth-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, will be banned from the June 27-July 10 tournament.
Daniil Medvedev (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
In a statement on Wednesday, the AELTC said it had to play its part in the efforts of government, industry, sporting and creative institutions to “limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible.”
“We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime,” AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt said in the statement.
The players have also been banned from the UK grass-court tournaments held in the build-up to Wimbledon.
The ATP, which governs men’s tennis, said the “unilateral decision” by Wimbledon to exclude players from Russia and Belarus was “unfair” and could potentially set a damaging precedent for the game.
“Discrimination based on nationality also constitutes a violation of our agreement with Wimbledon that states that player entry is based solely on ATP Rankings,” the men’s governing body said.
“Any course of action in response to this decision will now be assessed in consultation with our board and member councils.”
The Women’s Tennis Association said it was “very disappointed” with the decision and was now “evaluating its next steps and what actions may be taken regarding these decisions”.
“Individual athletes should not be penalised or prevented from competing due to where they are from, or the decisions made by the governments of their countries,” said the WTA.
“Discrimination, and the decision to focus such discrimination against athletes competing on their own as individuals, is neither fair nor justified.”
Aryna Sabalenka (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Both tennis governing bodies had banned Russia and Belarus from international team competitions following the invasion, but allowed players from the two countries to continue competing on their respective tours as neutrals.
Navratilova, who won Wimbledon a record nine times between 1978 and 1990, called the move “the wrong decision”.
“Exclusion like this, through no fault of these players, is not the way to go,” she told LBC Radio.
“Tennis is such a democratic sport it is difficult when you see politics destroy it. On the women’s side practically ten per cent of the field is not allowed to play,” added the Czech-born American, whose wife is Russian.
“This decision was made in a vacuum by the All England Club. I understand their predicament but I just don’t think they’re seeing the big picture in a more global way. But I am devastated by the decision, quite frankly.”
Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev told the country’s Sport Express newspaper that there was nothing it could do.
“I think this decision is wrong but there is nothing we can change,” Tarpischev said.
“The (Russian) Tennis Federation has already done everything it could.”
© AAP
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