Wimbledon and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) made shocking statements yesterday when it announced that not all players from Belarus and Russia would be allowed to participate in the upcoming tournament. 2022 Wimbledon Championship It will begin on June 27. Besides the Grand Slam ban, players from the two countries will not be allowed to play in grass court competitions.
The statement comes in light of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War that began on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces attempted to invade the European nation. The war has caused much bloodshed on both sides since then, and despite UN intervention, no peace talks that could end the war have yet been possible.
WTA reacts to Wimbledon and LTA statement
Immediately after the ban was officially approved, ATP and WTA have released their statements to express their point of view. Both tennis institutions did not support the decision and denounced the Grand Slam for choosing an extreme step, even after the immediate suspension of the Belarusian and Russian Tennis Federations.
“The WTA strongly condemns the actions taken by Russia and its unjustified invasion of Ukraine. We continue our humanitarian efforts to support Ukraine through the Tennis for Peace Games. However, we are very disappointed with the AELTC and LTA’s announcement today banning individual athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing in upcoming UK grass court events.
“A fundamental principle of the WTA is that individual athletes may participate in professional tennis events on the basis of merit and without any discrimination. This principle is expressly stated in our rules and has been accepted by both the AELTC and the LTA. The prohibition of discrimination is also expressly stated in its own rules and in the Grand Slam rules. As the WTA has consistently stated, individual athletes should not be penalized or prevented from competing because of decisions made by the governments of their country of origin or country.
“The decision to focus on discrimination and such discrimination against athletes competing on their own as individuals is neither fair nor justified. WTA will continue to enforce its rules to reject discrimination and ensure that all athletes can compete at our Tour events if they qualify; this is a situation shared across professional tennis until today’s announcement. The WTA will evaluate its next steps and what action can be taken in relation to these decisions.” Read the WTA Press Release.
WTA and ATP can join hands against Wimbledon ban
While the Grand Slam remains under the jurisdiction of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, events up to the major are strictly part of the respective Tours. As part of the preparations for the Championships, 3 of which will be played in England, 2 in Germany and 1 in the Netherlands, 6 Turf events are listed in the WTA Tour. The ATP Tour also has 6 events, but only 2 of them are in the UK.
There has been a lot of speculation as to whether the players will boycott the Grand Slam like the celebrities. 1973 Wimbledon Boycott when 81 of the top players refused to participate in the event Nikola Chicken He was not allowed to go to the show during the Davis Cup game. A major boycott is tough because the major is still two months away but that is definitely on the cards and if it stays alongside the WTA and ATP players we could see a very different Wimbledon this year.
Novak Djokovic criticizes Wimbledon’s ‘crazy’ decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players, including Daniil Medvedev
