Unlike last year, Russians and Belarusians will be able to participate in the next Wimbledon tournament, provided they do so under a neutral banner and do not support the war in Ukraine.
Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina, Victoria Azarenka… The Wimbledon plateau has just found a sacred relief this Friday! The organizers of the legendary London tournament have indeed announced that Russians and Belarusians will be allowed to participate in the 2023 edition, unlike last year. A decision which is not surprising (the Daily Mail revealed it on March 11) and which comes in a more global context of the gradual return of Russians and Belarusians to all sports competitions, as recommended by the International Olympic Committee at the start of the week.
Of course, their return is subject to a few conditions: “Our current intention is to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players subject to them competing as ‘neutral’ athletes and meeting the appropriate conditions. These will prohibit expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in various forms and prohibit the entry of players receiving funding from Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship of companies operated or controlled by States) in connection with their participation in the tournament”write the organizers in their press release.
ATP and WTA threatened to withdraw tournament licenses
“We continue to totally condemn Russia’s illegal invasion and our full support remains with the people of Ukraine, said the tournament director. It was an incredibly difficult decision, one that was not taken lightly or without much consideration for those who will be affected. We believe that, considering all factors, these are the most appropriate arrangements for the tournament this year. We are grateful for the government’s support as we and our other tennis stakeholders have navigated this complex matter and agreed to terms that we believe are workable. If circumstances change materially between now and the start of the tournament, we will review and react accordingly. »
This decision should in any case delight the ATP and the WTA, which threatened to withdraw the license from the other English tournaments on grass and which, last year, had decided not to award points at the Wimbledon tournament. It is therefore a return to normal for 2023.