Wimbledon decided to ban Russian and Belarusian tennis players

The ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes was announced on Wednesday afternoon from the Wimbledon Grand Slam, a traditional tennis tournament to be held in the United Kingdom’s capital London from June 27 to July 10. The measure is another in a series of sanctions implemented against Russia due to the attacks and military offensives by Vladimir Putin’s government against Ukraine.

Ian Hewitt, president of the championship’s organiser, the All England Club, said in an officially published note that he felt pained like the athletes who would face punishment, but stressed that the tournament was not used as a tool to support can be done. Putin’s government: “We recognize that it is difficult for those 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 alternative measures that may be taken under their guidance.” UK Government, but given the high level environment of the Championship, the importance of not allowing the sport to be used to promote Russian rule, and our wider concerns for the public and player safety (including family) “Given that, we don’t believe it. It is possible to move on to the championship on any other basis.”

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The decision made affects two athletes who currently occupy the top 10 of the men’s rankings, Daniil Medvedev, number 2 in the world, and Andrey Rublev, number 8, and three athletes who occupy the top 20 women. , Arya Sabalena, Victoria Azarenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The ATP, the Professional Tennis Association, condemned the attitude of the Wimbledon organization and called the decision to reject entries from athletes of both nationalities “radical”.