Russian and Belarusian tennis players will be competing at the 2023 Wimbledon tournament, after the ban on them was lifted. The tournament starts on July 3 and will be played at the All England Club (AELTC).
Players from Russia and Belarus were banned due to the armed invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the support provided by Belarus. However, restrictions are set to be eased by the organising authorities now.
Wimbledon 2023: Russian and Belarusian players to be allowed
There are certain conditions which these players must fulfil, so that they are “neutral athletes.” The two conditions laid down are that they must not support the Russian or Belarusian state or their regimes and leaders. The second is that they must not receive funding from the governments or companies controlled by them.
“We continue to condemn Russia’s illegal invasion and our wholehearted support remains with the people of Ukraine,” said AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of consideration for those who will be impacted.”
The AELTC have confirmed that the decision was made in discussion with the UK government, international stakeholders and LTA. Aryna Sabalenka, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Daria Kasatkina are all among the athletes who will be able to play at the Wimbledon as part of the eased restrictions.
