WIMBLEDON has reversed its ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis stars and will allow them to play at the 2023 Championships under a neutral flag.
On April 20, 2022, All England Club officials announced they would block players from those two pariah nations from appearing at SW19 following the illegal invasion of Ukraine, which began two months earlier.
Chairman Ian Hewitt justified the decision by saying they did not want to “benefit the propaganda machine” of Vladimir Putin’s murderous Russian regime.
Yet Wimbledon have today performed a U-turn ahead of their tournament in July, thus coming in line with the other three Slams.
Individuals like Russian world No5 Daniil Medvedev and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open singles champion, will not be permitted to display their nation’s colours.
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No flag or anthem will be displayed during the two-week event and players must sign a personal player declaration.
The players in question must agree not to support the Russian and/or Belarusian states or their regimes and leaders and confirm they have not received any funding, which would include sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by them.
This policy will apply for all UK grass-court events taking place this summer, including the action at Queen’s Club.
In a statement, Wimbledon said: “Our current intention is to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players subject to them competing as ‘neutral’ athletes and complying with appropriate conditions.
“These will prohibit expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in various forms.
“And prohibit entry by players receiving funding from the Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states) in relation to their participation in The Championships.
“The conditions have been carefully developed through constructive dialogue with the UK Government, the LTA and international stakeholder bodies in tennis, and are aligned with the Government’s published guidance to sporting bodies in the UK.
“The option of personal player declarations was not in our view viable last year.
“Since then, extensive engagement with the Government and tennis stakeholder bodies has clarified and developed the form of declarations and produced workable measures for their implementation and enforcement.”
When Wimbledon banned players from Russia and Belarus last year, the sport’s two main governing bodies, the ATP and WTA, stripped away the tournament’s ranking points.
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The Lawn Tennis Association also received fines totalling more than £1milllion – this did not apply to the AELTC as it’s a private members’ club.
The growing fear was that if the ban had remained in place again, the LTA could have had its licence to operate tournaments taken away.
Wimbledon continued: “This approach has the full support of the Government and the LTA, ATP, WTA and ITF.
We continue to condemn totally Russia’s illegal invasion and our wholehearted support remains with Ukraine
Ian Hewitt, AELTC Chairman
“There was a strong and very disappointing reaction from some governing bodies in tennis to the position taken by the All England Club and the LTA last year with consequences which, if continued, would be damaging to the interests of players, fans, The Championships and British tennis.
“Tennis events outside of the UK have experienced a year of competition with players from Russia and Belarus competing as ‘neutral’ athletes.
“We also consider alignment between the Grand Slams to be increasingly important in the current tennis environment.”
Hewitt, who is stepping down from his role later this year, said: “We continue to condemn totally Russia’s illegal invasion and our wholehearted support remains with the people of Ukraine.
“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.
“We are thankful for the Government’s support as we and our fellow tennis stakeholder bodies have navigated this complex matter and agreed on conditions we believe are workable.
“If circumstances change materially between now and the commencement of The Championships, we will consider and respond accordingly.”
