A return to the pre-war situation. On Friday March 31, the English tennis tournament at Wimbledon finally cracked under pressure from the ATP - men's circuit - and the WTA - women's circuit - and announced that it would accept "under conditions" the participation of Russians and Belarusians. And this, from the year 2023, despite the continuation of the war in Ukraine, thus applying the policy of the other Grand Slam events. Moments after this announcement, Ukrainian diplomacy called the decision "immoral".
"Our current intention is to accept participation from Russian and Belarusian players provided they compete as 'neutral' athletes and meet the relevant conditions," wrote the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club) in a statement. The organizers added that they "will be prohibited from expressing their support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine" and that players "receiving financial assistance" from Russia or Belarus to participate in the tournament will not be admitted to the London turf.
"We still totally condemn the illegal invasion by Russia and we maintain our deep support for the people of Ukraine," AELTC President Ian Hewitt said, saying the decision announced on Friday had been "incredibly difficult" to take.
On Friday March 31, Ukraine called on London not to issue visas to Russian and Belarusian players. "Wimbledon's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to participate is immoral. Has Russia ended its aggression or atrocities? Launched Dmytro Kouleba, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, on Twitter. "I call on the UK government to refuse to issue visas to their players," he added.
Wimbledon's decision to permit the participation of Russian and Belarusian players is immoral. Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime. I call on the UK government to deny visas to their players.
Last year, pushed by the British government, the Major on grass had refused Russian and Belarusian players, angering the governing bodies of the men's ATP and women's WTA professional circuits. They had decided to deprive the London tournament of ATP and WTA ranking points by insisting on the rupture, induced by the Wimbledon decision, of the "fundamental" principle of equity between all players to participate in all tournaments "in on their merit and without discrimination".
On Friday, the AELTC acknowledged that its 2022 decision had provoked a "strong reaction of disappointment" from "certain tennis governing bodies" and that to repeat the ban this year would have had "damaging consequences for the interest players, fans, the Wimbledon Championships and British tennis".
Also, the tennis circuits have welcomed the decision of Wimbledon for this year. "We are pleased that all players will be able to participate in Wimbledon and other LTA [British Tennis Federation] tournaments this summer," commented the ATP and WTA in a joint statement acknowledging the work done by all parties involved. to arrive at a solution "that protects the fairness" of tennis.
The two professional tennis bodies also reiterate their "unequivocal condemnation of the Russian war in Ukraine".
Wimbledon had been the only one of the four grand slam tournaments to refuse Russian and Belarusian players in 2022. They had been able to participate under a neutral banner at the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and the US Open. "We believe it is increasingly important in today's tennis world that grand slam tournaments take a common stance," the AELTC also acknowledges.
