London, Europe Brief News – Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev said that the decision made by Wimbledon organizers to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing because of the war in Ukraine is “illogical” and amounts to “complete discrimination.”
The Belarusian Tennis Federation (BTF) also released a statement opposing the ban. It said that they will seek legal advice over the decision which will “only incite hatred and intolerance on the basis of nationality.”
Rublev, after defeating Jiri Lehecka to advance to the quarterfinals of the Serbia Open in Belgrade on Thursday, told reporters in a post-match press conference that he and other players had a call with Wimbledon organizers on Wednesday in an attempt to find a solution.
“To be honest, the reasons that they give, there is no meaning. There is no logic for what they propose,” Rublev said.
He later added: “The things that happen now is complete discrimination of us.”
Rublev, who wrote “No war please” on a camera during a match a few days after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, said Wimbledon have “at least a chance to choose if we want to play or we don’t want to play.”
Wimbledon Under Fire
For his turn, Andrey Rublev considered Wimbledon’s decision as “complete discrimination” and does not make sense.
Rublev is one of three top-10 players, alongside compatriot Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. He has been blocked from playing at the tournament.
World number one Novak Djokovic said he “cannot support” the “crazy” decision.
“I will always condemn war, I will never support war, being myself a child of war. I know how much emotional trauma it leaves,” said Djokovic.
“However, I cannot support the decision of Wimbledon, I think it is crazy. Players, tennis players, sports people have got nothing to do with that.”
Earlier Wednesday, Wimbledon Tennis Championships banned Russian and Belarusian players from completing this year.
The All England Club announced that Russian athletes would not be able to play due to the war in Ukraine.
