Wednesday, 20 April 2022
Russian and Belarusian tennis players have been banned from playing at Wimbledon this summer
The All England Lawn Tennis Club says it has a responsibility to "limit Russia's global influence" following the invasion of Ukraine.
Men's world number two Daniil Medvedev and women's world number four Aryna Sabalenka will be among those to miss out.
The Lawn Tennis Association's also banned Russian or Belarusian players from playing at any UK grass court tournaments.
Wimbledon statement:
On behalf of the All England Club and the Committee of
Management of The Championships, we wish to express our ongoing support for all
those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine during these shocking and distressing
times.
We share in the universal condemnation of Russia’s illegal
actions and have carefully considered the situation in the context of our
duties to the players, to our community and to the broader UK public as a
British sporting institution. We have also taken into account guidance set out
by the UK Government specifically in relation to sporting bodies and events.
Given the profile of The Championships in the United Kingdom
and around the world, it is our responsibility to play our part in the
widespread efforts of Government, industry, sporting and creative institutions
to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible.
In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented
military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive
any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The
Championships.
It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline
entries from Russian and Belarusian players to The Championships 2022.
Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club, commented: “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.
"We have very carefully considered the alternative
measures that might be taken within the UK Government guidance but, given the
high profile environment of The Championships, the importance of not allowing
sport to be used to promote the Russian regime and our broader concerns for
public and player (including family) safety, we do not believe it is viable to
proceed on any other basis at The Championships.”
If circumstances change materially between now and June, we
will consider and respond accordingly.
We also welcome the LTA’s decision in declining entries from
Russian and Belarusian players to UK events to ensure that British tennis is
delivering a consistent approach across the summer.
posted by Radio Jackie News Team @ 4:04 pm
