Wimbledon organisers have defended the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing at this year’s tournament.
This is despite intense criticism from both the ATP and WTA.
Statement regarding Russian and Belarusian individuals at The Championships 2022.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) April 20, 2022
Players, including Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev, have been able to continue competing on tour as neutral athletes.
But chairman of the All-England Club, Ian Hewitt, says the UK government's guidance on the war in Ukraine gave the tournament no other alternative.
"We would risk their success or participation at Wimbledon being used to benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime", Hewitt said.
"We have a duty to ensure that no actions we take should put the safety of players or their families at risk."
Leading Russian player Andrey Rublev called the decision “complete discrimination”, but Wimbledon refuted that accusation.
