Wimbledon to allow Russians and Belarusians in 2023

Aryna Sabalenka (Google Images)

According to Matthew Henry of BBC Sport on Friday, Russians and Belarusians will be allowed to compete at the Wimbledon Championships in 2023. Last year, the Russians and Belarusians were not invited to participate during the third tennis major of the season due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Belarusian support of Russia.

As a result, the ATP and WTA withdrew ranking points for all players, making Wimbledon less significant. Great Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association was also fined $1 million, and the association was “threatened with expulsion from the Tour if it repeats the ban imposed this year due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine” according to The Guardian. 

The decision to allow the Russians and Belarusians to compete is taking place even though the war in Ukraine is continuing. According to statista.com, there have been 8401 casualties since the war started.

There are several elite players who will now be competing. They include men’a world number four and 2021 United States Open champion Daniil Medvedev of Moscow, men’s world number six Andrey Rublev of Moscow, women’s world number two and 2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka of Minsk, women’s world number eight and 2022 French Open semifinalist Daria Kasatkina of Tolyatti, and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka of Minsk. Azarenka won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013.

The All England Club did put out a statement explaining the fact that they completely oppose the Russian war on the Ukraine. The Russians and Belarusians will also be allowed to compete in the Wimbledon tuneup events at Queen’s and Eastbourne.

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