Russian, Belarusian players to compete as 'neutrals' at Wimbledon after
ban lifted
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[April 01, 2023]
By Shrivathsa Sridhar and Rohith Nair
(Reuters) -Wimbledon lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian
players on Friday and will allow them to compete in the grasscourt
Grand Slam this year as "neutral" athletes in a climbdown from the
stance it took after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The players will be prohibited from expressing support for the
invasion and must not receive funding from the Russian or Belarusian
states, tournament organisers the All England Lawn Tennis Club
(AELTC) said in a statement.
"We continue to condemn totally Russia's illegal invasion and our
wholehearted support remains with the people of Ukraine," AELTC
chairman Ian Hewitt said.
"This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or
without a great deal of consideration for those who will be
impacted.
"It is our view that, considering all factors, these are the most
appropriate arrangements for The Championships for this year."
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Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Wimbledon's decision
was "immoral" and urged Britain to deny Russian and Belarusian
players visas.
"Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it's just that
Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime," Kuleba
wrote on twitter.
Wimbledon had said last year that barring players from the two
countries was its only viable option under guidance provided by the
British government following the invasion, which Moscow calls a
"special military operation."
Wimbledon said in its statement on Friday that the option of
personal player declarations was not viable last year, but these
difficulties had since been overcome following engagement with the
government and tennis stakeholders.
It added the approach had the support of the government, Britain's
Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the men's ATP, the women's WTA and
global tennis body the ITF.
'WORKABLE SOLUTION'
Due to last year's ban, Wimbledon had its ranking points taken away.
The WTA and ATP Tours also imposed huge fines on the LTA and the
AELTC.
The ATP and WTA welcomed the lifting of the ban, saying it took a
collaborative effort to arrive at a "workable solution" that
protects the fairness of the game.
"This remains an extremely difficult situation and we would like to
thank Wimbledon and LTA for their efforts in reaching this outcome,
while reiterating our unequivocal condemnation of Russia's war on
Ukraine," the two governing bodies said.
Britain's Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the government
maintained its position that Russian and Belarusian athletes
representing their nations must not be permitted in domestic and
international competitions but supported the AELTC approach.
"Individual, self-funded Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete
in the United Kingdom, subject to following our guidance on
neutrality," Frazer added.
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Tennis - Wimbledon Preview - All England
Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 22, 2022
General view of centre court ahead of Wimbledon REUTERS/Paul Childs
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The ITF, which suspended the Russian and Belarusian
federations from its membership and competing in international team
competitions, said in a statement its position would not change.
The LTA said a continued ban would have led to the prospect of its
membership being terminated and Wimbledon tune-up events at Queens,
Eastbourne, Birmingham and Nottingham being cancelled.
"The effect on British tennis... would be damaging and far reaching
for the game in our country," the LTA said.
"Given this and our responsibility as the national governing body of
tennis in Britain, we have worked with the government, ATP, WTA and
ITF, alongside the All England Club, to find a solution for 2023."
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which has
defending Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic on its executive
committee, said they supported the decision while reaffirming their
support for Ukrainian players.
"Our PTPA principles make clear we support fair play and equal
treatment of all players, regardless of their country of origin," it
said.
"We believe that sports should not be used as a political weapon,
and we applaud this step towards inclusivity and respect for the
game."
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ZERO TOLERANCE
The LTA said there would be a zero tolerance approach at its venues
to flags, symbols or actions backing Russia and Belarus from anyone
including players and fans.
Flags of the two countries were banned at this year's Australian
Open following a complaint from Ukraine's ambassador.
Wimbledon was the only major to ban competitors from Russia and
Belarus, which has been a staging area for the invasion.
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Hewitt said the AELTC would respond if circumstances changed between
now and the beginning of the tournament on July 3.
Players from the two nations have been competing on the tours and at
the other slams as individual athletes without national affiliation.
Two Russians feature in the top 10 of the men's rankings -- Daniil
Medvedev (5) and Andrey Rublev (7). Both have previously called for
peace.
Among the women, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka is second in the world
and she also won the Australian Open earlier this year, to become
the first neutral Grand Slam champion. Russia's Daria Kasatkina is
eighth in the world.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair and Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru;
Editing by David Goodman, Toby Davis and Christian Radnedge)
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