Photo: Karl Bridgeman/Getty; Angel Martinez/Getty
Andy MurrayandRafael Nadalare speaking out againstWimbledon’s recent ban on Russian and Belarusian playersamid the ongoingwar in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday ahead of the Madrid Open, Murray said he was “not supportive” of players being barred from competition, but noted he understands that there is no “right answer” to handle the “difficult” situation.
“My understanding of the guidance was that Russians and Belarusians can play if they sign a declaration that they’re against the war and against the Russian regime,” the British tennis star, 34, said. “I’m not sure how comfortable I would feel if something happened to one of the players or their families [as a result of signing].”
“I feel for everyone, feel for the players that can’t play, and I don’t support one side or the other,” Murray, who isdonating all of his prize moneythis season to humanitarian relief in Ukraine, added.
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Wimbledon 2019.Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty
Nadal also denounced the Wimbledon ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
“I think it’s very unfair [to] my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues,” the Spanish tennis star, 35, said during Sunday’s press conference. “It’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war.”
“I’m sorry for them, Wimbledon just took their decision … the government didn’t force them to do it,” he added. “Let’s see what happens in the next weeks, if the players will take some kind of decision in that regard.”
“@RafaelNadalwe competed together.. we’ve played each other on tour,” hetweeted. “Please tell me how it is fair that Ukrainian players cannot return home? How it is fair that Ukrainian kids cannot ply tennis? How is it fair that Ukrainians are dying ?”
BOB MARTIN/AELTC/AFP via Getty
Wimbledon officials first announced their decision in a statement in April: “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.”
“In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The Championships,“tournament officials' statementcontinued. “It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to The Championships 2022.”
Despite criticism, All England Club officials defended the “agonizing decision,” saying the ban was “the only viable option for Wimbledon.”
The last time athletesfrom certain countries were bannedfrom participating in Wimbledon was after World War II, when German and Japanese athletes, among others, could not play, according to theNew York Times.
Wimbledon is scheduled to kick off June 27 and end July 10. The event, which is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, would have seen a number of highly ranked Russian and Belarusian players: No. 2 Daniil Medvedev and No. 15 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, and No. 4 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 18Victoria Azarenkaof Belarus.
Wimbledon is not the only major sporting event to introduce sanctions due to the war in Ukraine. Russian and Belarusian athletes are also banned from the upcoming2022 World Cup, among other major events.
source: people.com
