Wimbledon bars players from Russia and Belarus

TIL Desk Sports/ Wimbledon barred Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s championships due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with the grasscourt Grand Slam becoming the first tennis tournament to ban individual competitors from the two countries.

The decision by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) means Grand Slam champions Daniil Medvedev from Russia and Belarusian Victoria Azarenka will not be able to participate in the June 27-July 10 tournament.

“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. Hewitt said the AELTC had “carefully considered” 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,” he said.