The All England Club has reversed its ban on Russian and Belarusian players for Wimbledon 2021. The ban was implemented last year due to the two countries’ involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
However, the players must sign declarations of neutrality and cannot receive funding from their states. Players and politicians have responded with varying opinions to the decision.
Background
Last year, the All England Club banned Russian and Belarusian players from participating in Wimbledon due to their countries’ involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The players were not allowed to compete under their countries’ flags but were instead asked to play as neutral athletes. The decision was met with mixed reactions from the tennis community.
This year, the All England Club has reversed its decision, allowing Russian and Belarusian players to compete as neutrals. The decision was made after talks with the British government, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and international stakeholder bodies in tennis.
Conditions for Participation
In order for Russian and Belarusian players to be eligible for Wimbledon, they must agree to sign declarations of neutrality and adhere to certain “appropriate conditions.” These conditions include not expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and not receiving funding from the Russian or Belarusian states, including sponsorship from companies operated or controlled by the states.
Both the players and their support staff will be obligated to sign neutrality declarations that are comparable to those utilized in other sports. These same conditions will also be applicable to Lawn Tennis Association tournaments, which are utilized by players as grass-court warmups for Wimbledon.
Reactions
The decision has received mixed reactions from players and politicians. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba condemned the reversal, calling on the UK government to deny visas to their players. Kuleba said that the reversal was “immoral” and that Russia has not ceased its aggression or atrocities.
One individual expressed disapproval of Wimbledon’s decision to permit Russian and Belarusian players to compete, writing on Twitter that the tournament is accommodating “two accomplices in crime.” In contrast, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova believes that the ban should continue, citing concerns for the Ukrainian people and players.
On the other hand, former tennis player Martina Navratilova, who holds a record nine Wimbledon singles titles, expressed support for the policy reversal and stated on Twitter that last year’s ban was a “bad decision.”
Tennis Community Response
While other tennis tournaments have previously permitted Russian and Belarusian players to participate as neutral athletes, the International Tennis Federation did not allow them to take part in team sports like the Billie Jean King Cup or Davis Cup. The LTA was fined heavily and threatened with the withdrawal of its tournaments by the women’s and men’s professional tennis tours last year.
However, the ATP and WTA have expressed satisfaction with the outcome of Wimbledon’s latest announcement. The tours said that it took a collaborative effort across the sport to arrive at a fair solution. Additionally, the tours emphasized their unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Wimbledon’s new policy requires Russian and Belarusian players to agree to sign declarations of neutrality and adhere to certain “appropriate conditions,” such as refraining from expressing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
