Wimbledon Drops Russian Ban

[jimlosaltos]

NYT: Tennis players from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this summer after tournament officials reversed a policy that had barred them last year in the months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Wimbledon Drops Ban on Players From Russia and Belarus https://nyti.ms/3K0FZ8x

[don_budge]

I am not allowed to comment on this by decree of the owner of this site.

[stroke]

I just hope they have gotten the boosters.

[stotty]

It's the first time I have ever known Wimbledon to back down. One thing SW19 are going to do is make Russian and Belarusian players make personal player declarations that disavow support for the war. I am not sure how these personal declarations are to be worded but if they are as straightforward as they are supposed to be then it will put a lot of pressure on the Russian and Belarusian players because their respective countries will be taking note.

The ATP and WTA have clearly exerted enormous pressure to get their own way and SW19 have submitted. Never thought I would see the day.

I wonder if SW19 would have taken a slightly bolder stance if Roger were still playing the event. I personally think they would have.