Victoria Azarenka Says No Sense in Wimbledon Ban On Players.
The Wimbledon ban on players from Russia and Belarus, according to Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka, makes no sense, and the former world number one has called on tennis’ governing authorities to intervene.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which organizes the grass-court Grand Slam, made the decision, which was promptly criticized by the men’s and women’s circuits.
The ATP and WTA called the AELTC decision “discriminatory,” with women’s tour chief Steve Simon warning of “strong repercussions” last week.
“If you’re asking me if I agree with Wimbledon or if I understand their reasons after speaking with them on the phone, I don’t understand their reasoning,” Azarenka, a WTA Players’ member’ Council, told reporters in Madrid on Thursday.
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“It doesn’t make any sense, and it has nothing to do with what they’re saying.”
The 32-year-old Azarenka, ranked 17th in the world, advanced to the second round of the WTA 1000 event in Madrid on Thursday.
Still, her fellow Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka’s championship defense was stopped by unseeded American Amanda Anisimova 6-2 3-6 6-4.
Following the invasion, tennis governing bodies banned Russia and Belarus from international team competitions.
Still, individual players from the two nations are free to compete as neutrals.
The 2022 Wimbledon championships will be the first time since the immediate post-World War Two era when German and Japanese players were barred from competing.
“I believe there should be a reaction to that,” Azarenka, who won the Australian Open twice in 2012 and 2013, said.
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.