Wimbledon officials have confirmed that they intend to bar Russian and Belarusian players from playing in this year’s tournament because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Belarus’ support of the war.
The ban would make Wimbledon the first Grand Slam event to restrict individual Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing. In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Wimbledon confirmed that other tennis tournaments to be held this year in the United Kingdom also plan to take the same approach.
“Given the profile of The Championships in the United Kingdom 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,” the statement read.