Andy Murray is “unsupportive” of the plan to ban Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon in the aftermath of Ukraine’s invasion, but says there is no “correct” response. Wimbledon officials said they were left with “no viable alternative” but to bar Russian and Belarussian players from competing in this year’s Grand Slam, which begins on June 27. If players are to compete, the government is said to have asked sporting bodies to obtain written confirmation of their neutrality.
Murray, who is donating his entire prize money this season to humanitarian relief in Ukraine, said the government’s advice “was not helpful.” The 34-year-old said ahead of his first-round match against Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Open on Monday: “I’m not in favour of players being banned. The government’s advice was ineffective. According to the guidance, Russians and Belarusians can participate if they sign a declaration opposing the war and the Russian regime. I’m not sure how I’d feel if something happened to one of the players or their families (as a result). I don’t believe there is a correct answer. I’ve spoken with a few of the Russian players. I’ve spoken with a few Ukrainian players. I feel terrible for the players who aren’t allowed to play, and I understand how it will appear unfair to them.” “But I also know some of the people who work at Wimbledon, and I understand how difficult their situation was. I feel for everyone, especially the players who are unable to play, and I do not support either side.”
Many players have criticized the ban, with Andrey Rublev calling it “complete discrimination,” Novak Djokovic calling it “crazy,” and Victoria Azarenka saying it makes “no sense.” Rafael Nadal has now called it “very unfair.” “I think it’s very unfair (on) my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues,” Nadal said. “It’s not their fault that the war is going on right now.” The ATP and WTA, the governing bodies of men’s and women’s professional tennis, are opposed to the ban and may decide to remove ranking points from Wimbledon this year.
Djokovic, who is competing in Madrid this week alongside Murray and Nadal, added, “I still stand by my position that I don’t support the decision.” “It’s not fair, it’s not right, but it is what it is.” They have the right to make the decision, and I believe it is now up to the player council, the tour management, to really decide with the players what the best solution in this situation is, whether it is to keep the points, protect the points, take away 50% of the points, or whatever. “The 2,000 points whenever we go to the Grand Slams are really important, and we have to go to those tournaments,” Nadal added. “We’ll have to wait and see what steps we take.” At the end of the day, what happens in our game is meaningless when we see so many people dying and suffering, as well as the dire situation in Ukraine.” “I seriously doubt there will be no points. The more realistic option is probably to protect the points from the absent Russian and Belarussian players.”
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