Will Wimbledon allow Russian, Belarusian players this year?

IMAGE: Wimbledon was the one Grand Slam to ban opponents from Russia and Belarus final 12 months. {Photograph}: Matthew Childs/Reuters

Wimbledon has nonetheless not taken a call on the participation of Russian and Belarusian gamers on the grasscourt Grand Slam this 12 months, organisers advised Reuters on Friday, including that they’re persevering with talks with key stakeholders.

The All England Garden Tennis Membership (AELTC) and the Garden Tennis Affiliation (LTA) had banned gamers from the 2 international locations from tournaments held in Britain following Russia’s “particular navy operation” in Ukraine, for which Belarus is a key staging space.

Wimbledon had stated barring gamers from the 2 international locations was its solely viable choice below the steering offered by the British authorities.

The Grand Slam had their rating factors taken away and the ladies’s WTA and males’s ATP additionally imposed large fines on the LTA and the AELTC.

Two-times Wimbledon champion Andy Murray stated this week he anticipated Wimbledon organisers to permit Russian and Belarusian gamers to compete on the Grand Slam, whereas the Day by day Mail reported the ban had been lifted.

“We have now not but decided on entries for The Championships 2023,” a spokesperson for the AELTC, which organises Wimbledon advised Reuters.

“We’re persevering with to work very carefully with the UK Authorities and key stakeholders in tennis on this matter.”

This 12 months’s event is scheduled to run from July 3-16.

Wimbledon was the one Grand Slam to ban opponents from Russia and Belarus final 12 months and gamers competed as particular person athletes with out nationwide affiliation on the different majors.

Russian and Belarusian flags had been banned from the Melbourne Park precinct on the Australian Open earlier this 12 months following a criticism from the Ukraine ambassador to the nation.

Ukrainian participant Elina Svitolina had stated final month the Wimbledon ban should proceed.

Russia’s former world primary Daniil Medvedev stated he would respect no matter determination Wimbledon makes concerning the participation of gamers from the 2 international locations.

Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus echoed his sentiments, saying the choice was out of her management.