‘Alignment Among Grand Slams’: Wimbledon Allows Russia, Belarus Players As ‘Neutrals’
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 07:16PM By Barry Janoff
March 31, 2023: In a reversal from its controversial decision in 2022, organizers for the 2023 Wimbledon The Championships said Russian and Belarusian players would be able to compete at the Grand Slam (July 3-16).
“Our current intention is to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players subject to them competing as ‘neutral’ athletes and complying with appropriate conditions,” the All England Club posted to its Web site today.
The players must sign declarations of neutrality and comply with “appropriate conditions,” including not expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the All England Club, “These will prohibit expressions of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in various forms and prohibit entry by players receiving funding from the Russian and/or Belarusian states (including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states) in relation to their participation in The Championships.”
Wimbledon’s decision to ban athletes from Russia and Belarus last year impacted players including ATP Tour players Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov and Sebastian Korda; and Hologic WTA Tour players Aryna Sabalenka, Victoria Azarenka, Daria Kasatkina, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Liudmila Samsonova.
“We continue to condemn totally Russia’s illegal invasion and our wholehearted support remains with the people of Ukraine,” Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Club, said via the organization. “This was an incredibly difficult decision, not taken lightly or without a great deal of consideration for those who will be impacted.
“It is our view that, considering all factors, these are the most appropriate arrangements for The Championships for this year. We are thankful for the Government’s support as we and our fellow tennis stakeholder bodies have navigated this complex matter and agreed on conditions we believe are workable.
“If circumstances change materially between now and the commencement of The Championships, we will consider and respond accordingly.”
The All England Club said its decision comes with the support of the U.K. Government, the Lawn Tennis Assn,, ATP Tour, Hologic WTA Tour and International Tennis Federation.
“It has taken a collaborative effort across the sport to arrive at a workable solution, which protects the fairness of the game,” those organizations posted to their Web sites.
“This remains an extremely difficult situation, and we would like to thank Wimbledon and the LTA for their efforts in reaching this outcome, while reiterating our unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s war on Ukraine.”
Players had been allowed to play at other Grand Slams last year as “neutrals,” without any references to nationality or images of flags.
According to the All England Cub, “There was a strong and very disappointing reaction from some governing bodies in tennis to the position taken by the All England Club and the LTA last year with consequences which, if continued, would be damaging to the interests of players, fans, The Championships and British tennis.
“Tennis events outside of the UK have experienced a year of competition with players from Russia and Belarus competing as ‘neutral’ athletes. We also consider alignment (among) the Grand Slams to be increasingly important in the current tennis environment.”
Wimbleon’s decision comes as the International Olympic Committee is encouraging sports associations to allow players from Russia and Belarus who do not have military connections to compete as “neutrals,” although the IOC has not made a decision regarding the 2024 Paris Summer Games.
The IOC said its executive board this past week “reiterates its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is a blatant violation of the Olympic Truce that was in effect at the time, and of the Olympic Charter.
“For this reason, the IOC has already sanctioned the Russian and Belarusian states and governments, who are solely responsible for this war, in an unprecedented way. In particular, the IOC has recommended that:
• No international sports events be organized in Russia and Belarus;
• No flag, anthems or other national symbols whatsoever should be displayed at any international sports eventa.
• No government or state officials should be accredited for or invited to any international sports events.
The IOC “confirmed that these recommendations do not concern the participation of athletes and their support personnel with a Russian or Belarusian passport at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 or the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The IOC will take this decision at the appropriate time.”
The ban of athletes last year led the ATP Tour and Holgoic WTA Tour to not award points to any competitors at Wimbledon.
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