Wimbledon could ban world No.2 Daniil Medvedev from competing in this year’s tournament over fears a Russian victory could boost support for the Ukraine war.
Due to its independent status, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has been advised it can ban Russian and Belarusian players who fail to denounce Vladimir Putin and not face any legal repercussions.
This hard stance differs from that of the main tennis tours and their governing associations, which have instead allowed Russian individuals to continue playing with the omission of their national anthem and flag.
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According to a report in the UK Telegraph, one person who has worked closely with the AELTC put it: “Private member clubs have more freedom as to who to allow in or not, so they wouldn’t be subject to the same discrimination laws as the tours”.
“If you are running the main tennis tour, you have the freedom to ban players, but you have to be able to show this course of action is reasonable. Russian players could argue that they are being prevented from making a living through no fault of their own.
“That is not so much of an issue for Wimbledon, however.”
British sports minister Nigel Huddleston recently spoke about averting Putin from making political capital off the exploits of Russian athletes competing in the UK.
Huddleston suggested that players such as Medvedev and Belarusian world No.5 Aryna Sabalenka should have to sign an anti-Putin agreement to participate in major events across Britain.
“We wish to get assurance in a written declaration that they are not receiving money from Putin, Russia or Belarus [and] that they will not be making supportive comments of Putin, Russia or Belarus,” he said.
With such statements thought too dangerous for any Russian athlete to align themselves with, there is a real chance the tournament could be played without them.
Any new policy will need to be set before Wimbledon’s entry deadline in mid-May. The tournament kicks off on June 27.
Medvedev announced last week that he will miss the next month of tennis while he recovers from a small procedure to repair a hernia.
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