Novak Djokovic slams Wimbledon's ban on Russian, Belarusian players

• Image Credit: Internet

• Apr 21, 2022 | Dhupali Das

Reportedly, individual players from the two countries will be barred from the grasscourt Grand Slam, which will start from June 27 to July 10. 

Digital Desk: Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine is 'insane,' said world No. 1, Novak Djokovic. Due to the invasion, which Russia refers to as a "special operation," Wimbledon confirmed on Wednesday (April 20) that all Russian and Belarusian players will be barred from competing in this year's championships.

Reportedly, individual players from the two countries will be barred from the grasscourt Grand Slam, which will start from June 27 to July 10. Men's world number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia and women's fourth-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will be banned. Djokovic said that the athletes, who grew up in war-torn Serbia, had nothing to do with the ongoing violence.

"As a child of war, I will always denounce war, and I will never support a war," Djokovic told reporters at the Serbia Open, an ATP 250 event in Belgrade. "I'm well aware of the emotional toll it takes. We all know what happened in Serbia in 1999. There have been numerous wars in the Balkans in recent history," he added. 

"However, I cannot support Wimbledon's judgment; I believe it is irrational. When politics gets in the way of sports, it's not a good thing," he said. 

The ATP and WTA tours have both condemned the All England Lawn Tennis Club's (AELTC) decision. This is the first time players have been banned based on the country since the early post-World War Two era when German and Japanese players were barred from participating.

However,  AELTC said that if circumstances change between now and June, it will 'evaluate and respond accordingly.