WIMBLEDON have made the decision to NOT allow Russian players to participate in their tournament following this year.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) which organises Wimbledon revealed their stern decision on Wednesday, April 20.
Daniil Medvedev stunned Novak Djokovic in the US Open final last year
Medvedev will not be participating at Wimbledon this year due to the Russian ban
Thus meaning that a few stars are set to miss out on the major tennis event taking place from June 27 to July 10.
But why are Russian players banned and who will this affect?
Why have Wimbledon banned Russian players?
Wimbledon have made the decision to ban Russian players following the “illegal” invasion of Ukraine.
The AELTC believe that they have a responsibility to “limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible.”
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AELTC’s statement read: “On behalf of the All England Club and the Committee of Management of The Championships, we wish to express our ongoing support for all those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine during these shocking and distressing times.
We share in the universal condemnation of Russia’s illegal actions and have carefully considered the situation in the context of our duties to the players, to our community and to the broader UK public as a British sporting institution.
“We have also taken into account guidance set out by the UK Government specifically in relation to sporting bodies and events.
“Given the profile of The Championships in the UK and around the world, it is our responsibility to play our part in the widespread efforts of Government, industry, sporting and creative institutions to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible.
“In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The Championships.
“It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to The Championships 2022.”
Which Russian players are set to miss out?
Reigning US Open champion, Daniil Medvedev is the highest ranked tennis star who will not to be at Wimbledon.
The Russian occupies second spot on the men’s leaderboards and was a favourite to clinch the trophy in London.
Andrey Rublev is seeded eighth on the charts and has won two titles in 2022 so far.
However, he’ll not be able to add to his tally in June – his camptriot Karen Khachanov who is 26th, will not be there either.
Anastaia Pavlyuchenkova is ranked number 15 for the women – and has previously called out for the war to stop.
Anastaia Pavlyuchenkova is another Russian star banned from this year’s Wimbledon
But now, unless things change, she won’t be able to improve on her positioning at Wimbledon.
There will also be no Aslan Karalsev, Darya Kasatkina, or Vernoika Kudermetova
What has been said?
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is furious at the decision and has criticised the ban which has been put in place by the AELTC.
The Russian said: “Given that Russia is a strong tennis country and our athletes possess top lines of the world rating, the tournament itself would suffer because of this ban.
“It is unacceptable to make the athletes once again hostages of certain political prejudice intrigues and hostile actions towards our country.
