Topline
Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic on Wednesday criticized Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s event after the organizer of the grand slam tournament announced it would prevent Putin’s regime from deriving any benefits from the participation of the players.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during the match against Laslo Djere of Serbia during the day three … [+]
Key Facts
Speaking at the Serbia Open on Wednesday, the men’s World No. 1 player said he could not support the decision made by the Wimbledon organizers as it is “crazy.”
The Serbian tennis star said that he will “always condemn war” as he himself was a “child of war” growing up in Serbia in the 1990s.
Djokovic, who is the current Wimbledon champion, added: “when politics interferes with sport, the result is not good.”
The ban means that one of the key challengers to Djokovic’s crown, World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev, will not be allowed to participate in the marquee tournament.
In a statement announcing the decision on Wednesday, the All England Lawn Tennis Club said it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to “derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The Championships.”
Crucial Quote
“I will never support war, being myself a child of war…I know how much emotional trauma it leaves. In Serbia we all know what happened in 1999. In the Balkans we have had many wars in recent history,” Djokovic said.
Key Background
The Wimbledon organizers said they made the decision after reviewing guidance issued to sporting bodies by the British government, which has been vocal about excluding Russia and Belarus from international events. Russia’s Medvedev and World No. 4 women’s player Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus are among the most high-profile players to be affected by the ban. Other key players who are set to miss the tournament include eighth-ranked men’s player Andrey Rublev from Russia, his compatriot World No. 15 women’s player Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and former women’s World No. 1 Belarusian star Victoria Azarenka. Wimbledon is the first major tennis event to ban the participation of players from these countries and it is unclear if any of the other three Grand Slams will follow suit. Outside of Wimbledon, Russian tennis players have been allowed to play in tournaments both on the men’s and women’s tours but not under their national flags.
Tangent
Djokovic is no stranger to controversies surrounding rules that exclude players from participating in grand slam events. Earlier this year, the World No. 1 player was unable to defend his title at the Australian Open after being deported from the host country for failing to meet its stringent Covid-19 vaccine requirements.
Further Reading
Novak Djokovic criticises Wimbledon’s ‘crazy’ ban on Russian and Belarusian players (Sky Sports)
Wimbledon Bans Russian And Belarusian Tennis Players — Here’s Who’s Affected (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/04/21/novak-djokovic-hits-out-at-wimbledons-crazy-decision-to-ban-russian-and-belarusian-players/