Nadal, Djokovic slam Wimbledon ban on Russian, Belarusian players

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal criticized Wimbledon for excluding players from Russia or Belarus from this year’s tournament after Russia invaded Ukraine.

These two tennis legends saidSunday: Wimbledon had acted unjustly

“I believe it’s unfair to [on] my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues … it’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war,” Nadal, a 21-time Grand Slam winner, saidHe and Djokovic will be playing in Madrid Open in Spain.

Nadal said, “I’m sorry.” said. “Wimbledon took their decision… The government didn’t force it.”

Both the ATP and WTA tennis tour have publicly criticized April 20’s All England Club decision.

Wimbledon opens on June 27.

Andrey Rublev, the reigning champion of the U.S. Open, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (runner-up at French Open) are some of the prominent players who will be affected by this ban. They are all Russian. Victoria Azarenka from Belarus, which has provided assistance to Russian forces would also be barred.

“It’s not right”

Djokovic likened the situation of the excluded players with what he experienced in January, when he was unable play at the Australian Open. Djokovic was removed from Australia after he failed to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a Twitter statement, the All England Club justified its actions.

The statement reads, “In the circumstances such unjustified military aggression it would be unacceptable for Russia to derive any benefit from the participation of Russian or Belarusian athletes with The Championships.” said.