London, Europe Brief News- Wimbledon Tennis Championships banned Russian and Belarusian players from completing this year.
The All England Club announced on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes would not be able to play due to the war in Ukraine.
“It is our responsibility to play our part in the widespread efforts … to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible,” a statement read.
“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.”
Russian athletes have been prevented from competing in many sports and tournaments following their country’s invasion of Ukraine. Belarus has also been accused by Kyiv of facilitating the movement of Russian troops.
Wednesday’s move signals the first time a tennis tournament has told players from Russia and Belarus they are not welcome.
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) was quick to criticise the All England Club for a “unilateral” and “unfair” decision.
“Our sport is proud to operate on the fundamental principles of merit and fairness, where players compete as individuals to earn their place in tournaments,” the ATP said in a statement, adding that the decision “has the potential to set a damaging precedent for the game.”
Among the prominent men’s players affected by the ban are reigning US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and world No. 8 Andrey Rublev.
The women’s players affected include No. 4 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who was a Wimbledon semifinalist last year and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the French Open runner-up last year.
