Wimbledon has not decided on the participation of Russian and Belarusian players in this year’s grass-court Grand Slams, organizers told Reuters on Friday as they were continuing talks with key stakeholders.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club and the Lawn Tennis Association banned players from both countries from tournaments held in Britain following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, for which Belarus is a major staging area.
Wimbledon had stated that its only viable option was to ban players from both countries under guidance provided by the British government.
She was stripped of ranking points from the Grand Slams, and the women’s and men’s tours fined the LTA and AELTC.
“We have not yet decided on entries for the Championships 2023,” a spokesman for the AELTC, which organizes Wimbledon, told Reuters. “We are continuing to work closely with the UK Government and key stakeholders in tennis on this matter.”
This year’s tournament is scheduled to run from July 3-16.
Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam to ban competitors from Russia and Belarus last year. Players compete as individual athletes without national affiliation in other majors.
The Russian and Belarusian flags were banned from the Melbourne Park complex at the Australian Open earlier this year following a complaint from Ukraine’s ambassador to the country.
Ukrainian player alina svitolina Said last month that the Wimbledon ban should continue.
Former World No. 1 of Russia Daniil Medvedev He said he would respect whatever Wimbledon decides. Australian Open Champion Aryan Sabalenka The government of Belarus echoed his sentiments, saying that the decision was beyond their control.
two time wimbledon champion Andy Murray said this week that he hoped Wimbledon organizers would allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete at the Grand Slams.