Tennis news today Ekings News latest World number one Novak Djokovic says Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players After Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is “crazy.”
Wimbledon has announced that it has banned all Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tournament due to the invasion of Ukraine. which Russia calls “Special Operations”
This Grand Slam Court Grass was the first tennis tournament to ban competitors from both countries. This means that world number two Daniel Medvedev of Russia and women’s fourth seed Arena Zabalenka from Belarus will be banned from playing.
While Novak Djokovic, who grew up in war-torn Serbia, said the athlete had nothing to do with the ongoing conflict. “I will always condemn war. I never supported the war. Because I was in the aftermath of the war as a child.” Djokovic told this to reporters at the Serbian Open, an ATP 250 event in Belgrade.
“I know how much emotional trauma it has left. In Serbia, we all know what happened in 1999 in the Balkans. We’ve been at wars many times in recent history. However, I can’t support Wimbledon’s decision. I think it’s crazy. When politics interferes with sports, the result was not good.”
Decision is made
The decision by The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has been heavily criticized by the ATP and WTA Tour, with the move marking the first time a player has been banned for nationality reasons. Since the post-World War II era when German and Japanese players were not invited to the tournament. However, the AELTC said it would “consider and respond as the situation changes. Between now and June
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said it was “deeply disappointed” by the decision to ban Russian and Belarus players from this year’s Wimbledon. In a statement, the organization said it was “evaluating next steps. and is evaluating what to do with these decisions.” Meanwhile, ATP, which organizes the men’s tournament, also criticized the decision of the organizers of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC).
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