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Russian, Belarusian tennis players banned from Wimbledon

21.04.2022 06:00
Russian and Belarusian tennis players will not be allowed to compete at this year's Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament in London following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, organizers have announced.
Wimbledon
WimbledonPAP/EPA/AELTC/Bob Martin / HANDOUT

"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," the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said in a statement on Wednesday.

"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," it added.

"It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to the Championships 2022," the Wimbledon organizers also said.

The decision is the first time Russian and Belarusian players have been prohibited from competing in an elite tennis event, news outlets reported.

Polish player Hubert Hurkacz last year hit a career milestone by reaching the semifinals of the iconic grass-court tournament in the British capital.

Poland’s Iga Świątek last year reached the fourth round of the women’s singles at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, where she succumbed to lower-ranked Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.

Meanwhile, Poland's Magda Linette was eliminated from the Wimbledon women’s singles in the third round by Spain's Paula Badosa.

Poland's Świątek, currently world No. 1 in women's tennis, in 2018 won the Girls' Singles title at Wimbledon.

(gs)

Source: PAPCNN