The event’s chairman Ian Hewitt stated Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had positioned organizers in “an excessive and distinctive scenario,” including that the choice to implement a participant ban had been made consistent with UK authorities directives.
“First, even when we have been to just accept entries from Russian and Belarusian gamers with written declarations, we might threat their success or participation at Wimbledon getting used to profit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime, which we couldn’t settle for,” Hewitt advised reporters on Tuesday.
“Second, we’ve got an obligation to make sure that no actions we take ought to put the security of gamers or their households in danger.
“We perceive and deeply remorse the influence this resolution could have on each particular person affected — and so many harmless individuals are struggling on account of this horrible struggle.”
‘Proper and accountable resolution’
“It isn’t discrimination within the kind that’s being stated,” Hewitt acknowledged. “It’s a thought of view reached as to what’s the proper and accountable resolution in all circumstances.”
He added: “We all know that they [Russia] have a historical past of utilizing sport to advance their trigger and that could be a critical matter for us which we couldn’t settle for Wimbledon being a part of.”
The Kremlin has beforehand stated {that a} ban on Russian gamers collaborating at Wimbledon on account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “unacceptable.”
“Making athletes victims of some sort of political prejudices, intrigues, hostile actions in direction of our nation, is unacceptable. One can solely categorical remorse right here,” Russian authorities spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised a convention name with reporters earlier this month.
Whereas particular person gamers from Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete on the ATP and WTA Excursions as neutrals, that is the primary time they’ve been prohibited from competing in an elite tennis occasion.
The choice by the All England Garden Tennis Membership (AELTC) covers all tournaments on this yr’s British grass-court swing, in addition to the grand slam.
Rublev, who wrote “No struggle please” on a TV digital camera throughout a match days after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, is about to overlook this yr’s Wimbledon alongside compatriot and world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka, at the moment ranked fourth on the planet and a Wimbledon semi-finalist final yr, and Victoria Azarenka, a former world No. 1.
“We’re in ongoing dialogue with the gamers, the excursions, the ITF, and with our fellow grand slams, and can proceed to work with them over the approaching weeks,” Wimbledon chief government Sally Bolton advised reporters.
Bolton added that some affected gamers have been consulted previous to a choice being made on the ban, however declined to offer particular particulars about these conversations.
She additionally pressured that the present ban associated to “gamers solely,” however stated the event might be declining accreditation requests from Russian media retailers.
Talks between Wimbledon and the UK authorities are ongoing about whether or not Russian and Belarusian help workers and coaches might be permitted on the event.
Final week, WTA CEO Steve Simon advised The Tennis Podcast that the banning of Russian and Belarusian gamers was “extraordinarily disappointing.”
“The one factor we have all the time been united on [in tennis] is that entry into our occasions … has all the time been based mostly upon benefit and with out discrimination,” he stated.
In an announcement final week, the ATP Tour additionally stated the choice to exclude a participant based mostly on their nationality was “a violation of our settlement with Wimbledon that states that participant entry relies solely on ATP Rankings.”
Wimbledon organizers additionally introduced on Tuesday that gamers wouldn’t be required to be absolutely vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19 to compete on this yr’s event, which is at the moment anticipated to happen below regular circumstances with out virus countermeasures in place.
