Wimbledon lifts ban on Russians and Belarusians

The British Tennis Association LTA said in a statement that it was still the firm opinion that an exclusion was “the right course.” But the “significant penalties” imposed by the powerful ATP and WTA players’ associations, including the “real prospect of our membership being terminated” in the event of another ban on starting, would have left the organizer almost no other choice. And so organizers of the only Grand Slam tournament on grass announced on Friday that they would reopen the gates at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club to Russian and Belarusian players from July 3 to 16 in London. “As long as they compete as 'neutral' athletes and meet the relevant conditions,” as the Wimbledon organizer restricted in a press release. Requirements against Russian athletes The abandonment of the national flag is just one point. The players are also not allowed to make any statements of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and are not allowed to receive any financial resources from the state in connection with participating in the tournament. This also applies to the sponsorship of state-owned companies such as Gazprom. According to the LTA, the starters must sign a corresponding declaration of neutrality. The conditions were worked out after discussions with the British government, the LTA and international tennis interest groups. Last year, Russian and Belarusian athletes such as Daniil Medvedev, fifth in the world rankings, were not admitted, which went against the basic course of the ATP and WTA. That's why no points were awarded for the world rankings at Wimbledon. At the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, tennis professionals from both countries were allowed to compete as neutral athletes after the start of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine.

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Wimbledon lifts ban on Russians and Belarusians

Wimbledon lifts the ban - but the return of the Russian and Belarusian tennis players to the “holy turf” is by no means a decision made out of conviction.

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