@DaniilMedwed
The All England Club has imposed a ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis players from competing in this year’s Wimbledon tournament.
Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club, said while recognising that this is hard on the individuals affected, “it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime.”
“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,” he said.
Hewitt said the Committee of Management of The Championships expressed their 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,” Hewitt said.
He said given the profile of The Championships in the United Kingdom and around the world, it was their “responsibility” to play their part in the “widespread efforts of Government, industry, sporting, and creative institutions to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible.”
“If circumstances change materially between now and June, we will consider and respond accordingly,” he said.
The LTA also declined entries from Russian and Belarusian players to UK events as part of efforts to ensure “that British tennis is delivering a consistent approach across the summer.”
