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Russian and Belarusian Tennis Players Barred From Wimbledon
A Wimbledon game in action
Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at this year's Wimbledon and and all other grass-court events in Britain this summer due to Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Grand Slam's organisers All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) announced in a statement today (Apr 20).
"Given the profile of The Championships in the United Kingdom and around the world, it is our responsibility to play our part in the widespread efforts of Government, industry, sporting and creative institutions to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible." the statement noted.
"After careful consideration the LTA believes that tennis must join many other areas of sport and public life in sending a clear signal to the Russian and Belarusian states that their actions in Ukraine are the subject of international condemnation.” the statement added
Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club,said: “We recognise that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime.
The ban will mean that players such as the men’s world No 2 Daniil Medvedev and the former women’s world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, will not able to compete in this year's Wimbeldon.
Russian and Belarusian players are currently barred from displaying their national flags in ATP and WTA tours. The national anthems of these two countries are also not permitted.
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