Ons Jabeur: ‘I don’t understand how it’s now okay to mix politics and sports’

Tunisian star Ons Jabeur has called out Wimbledon’s ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
Jabeur questioned why the war in Ukraine has caused Wimbledon to act when no other act of aggression since World War II has drawn a similar response.
For several years after the second world war Japanese and German players were barred from entering Wimbledon.
Wimbledon did not give in to significant public pressure to ban South African players from entering the Championships during apartheid, nor has it barred any player on the basis of nationality since the 1950s.
Jabeur cited the tennis world’s failure to act in support of the people of Palestine, revealing that she has received death threats for her statements on Israel.
In an interview with Arab News, Jabeur said: “I’ve had some situations of my own, especially in the 2020 in BJK Cup when we were supposed to play Israel.
“I 100 per cent feel very sorry for the Palestinian people and I feel sorry for the children that are dying every day for 74 years. So I don’t understand how it’s now okay to mix politics and sports.
“What about all the other countries where people and children have been dying every day?
“For me, I don’t think we should mix politics and sports. It’s very sad what’s happening in the world and one thing I hate in this world is politics.
“It’s very dirty and we can never get the full picture of everything.
“So I hope this situation will be resolved very soon, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Both the WTA and the ATP have condemned the decision to bar players from entering Wimbledon, neither organisation has laid out their next steps on the matter although the notion of a boycott has been floated.
The call has divided opinion the world over with Ukraine’s own Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska unable to agree.
Svitolina is opposed to a full ban and would be happy with players entering under a neutral flag having made an anti-war statement.
Yastremska believes that Wimbledon made the right call.
“How would I be able to play against those players at the tournament when all the world is talking about the war that is being fought against Ukraine? So I think the decision they are making is right,” Yastremska told reporters.
“I think the decision they made is very respectful, they did the right thing. What they’ve done for Ukraine is the right thing. Other players (Ukrainian) are supporting it as well.
“For sure if they take points away many players are going to start being very angry.”
Latest
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal claims 299th Grand Slam match win at Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal dominated his French Open first round match against Jordan Thompson.
-
Tennis News
John McEnroe reveals how Iga Swiatek and Serena Williams are alike
Will Iga Swiatek become the sixth women to claim ten or more Grand Slams in the open era?
-
Wimbledon
Naomi Osaka considers skipping pointless Wimbledon
The former world number one says she is ‘leaning more towards not playing’.
-
French Open
French Open: Iga Swiatek extends streak to 29, Naomi Osaka bows out
World No 1 Iga Swiatek is looking forward to some sightseeing after dispatching Lesia Tsurenko in short order.
-
Live Tennis
Tennis365’s live scores and results centre: Follow the French Open here
Aaaaand it’s live! Follow the action from Roland Garros…
-
French Open
Goran Ivanisevic insists Novak Djokovic isn’t Roland Garros favourite
Goran Ivanisevic says as long as Rafael Nadal is in the French Open field there can be no other favourite.
-
French Open
French Open: Dominic Thiem feels ‘pretty far away from a win’ after exit
The former world number three, a finalist at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, bowed out in straight sets.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz proofs French Open title credentials with dominant first-round victory
Carlos Alcaraz powers into the second round at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Alexander Zverev keeps French Open match short and sweet, but hopes to go from stable to winning titles
“I’m always somebody that likes to win, rather than be stable,” says Zverev.
-
Wimbledon
Cameron Norrie says Wimbledon will be ‘like an exhibition’ as he warns a few top players might not play
British No 1 has his say on consequences following decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.