Novak Djokovic calls Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian gamers ‘loopy’

April 21, 2022

Wimbledon organizers introduced on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian gamers won’t be allowed to compete at this 12 months’s version following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I’ll at all times condemn warfare, I’ll by no means assist warfare being myself a toddler of warfare,” the world No. 1 advised reporters on the Serbia Open.

Djokovic was simply 11 years previous when he endured air strikes on the Serbian capital, which marked the start of what could be a 78-day marketing campaign by the North Atlantic Treaty Group (NATO) to try to carry an finish to atrocities dedicated by Yugoslavia’s then-president Slobodan Milosevic’s troops in opposition to ethnic Albanians within the province of Kosovo.

“I understand how a lot emotional trauma it leaves. In Serbia, everyone knows what occurred in 1999. Within the Balkans, we have now had many wars in current historical past,” he advised reporters.

“Nevertheless, I can’t assist the choice of Wimbledon, I feel it’s loopy. When politics interferes with sport, the end result just isn’t good.”

Wimbledon on Wednesday introduced and defended their choice to ban Russian and Belarusian gamers from this 12 months’s match.

“Given the profile of The Championships in the UK and around the globe, it’s our duty to play our half within the widespread efforts of Authorities, business, sporting and inventive establishments to restrict Russia’s international affect by means of the strongest means attainable,” the All England Garden Tennis Membership (AELTC) stated in a press release.

“Within the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented navy aggression, it will be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any advantages from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian gamers with The Championships.

“It’s subsequently our intention, with deep remorse, to say no entries from Russian and Belarusian gamers to The Championships 2022,” it added.

The Kremlin stated earlier on Wednesday {that a} ban on Russian gamers participating at Wimbledon because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is “unacceptable.”

The ban on Russian gamers will stop a number of excessive ranked gamers from competing on the iconic grass courtroom grand slam.

4 Russian males, together with world quantity two and reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, are at present ranked within the high 30 of the ATP Tour.

Russia has 5 ladies within the high 40 of the WTA Tour rankings.

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka is at present ranked fourth on this planet and was a Wimbledon semifinalist final 12 months whereas compatriot Victoria Azarenka, a former world No. 1, is at present ranked No. 18.

The AELTC’s choice is the primary time Russian and Belarusian gamers have been prohibited from competing in an elite tennis occasion.