Sergiy Stakhovsky news: Ukrainian rips into ATP’s Wimbledon decision

Sergiy Stakhovsky left his family in Hungary back in March to go and fight on the frontline in Ukraine, swapping a tennis racket for a gun, and now he’s laid into the ATP’s decision to strip Wimbledon of it’s ranking points after it banned Russian and Belarussian players from taking part in the tournament.
When it was announced Wimbledon wasn’t going to let players from these countries from playing in the competition, the ATP said at the time that they didn’t support the decision and the tournament could face sanctions.
Now these sanctions have been put in place and Stakhovsky is greatly disappointed and has suggested that the tennis association is standing on the side of “invaders and murderers.”
To say that I am disappointed in @atptour would be understatement.. Never would expect that anyone can stand on the side of invaders and murderers… but it seems to me that even my fellow players feel sorry for invaders and collaborants from rus/blr..1/2
— Sergiy Stakhovsky (@Stako_tennis) May 20, 2022
“To say that I am disappointed in @ATPTour would be understatement,” the former world No 31 wrote on his Twitter account.
“Never would expect that anyone can stand on the side of invaders and murderers, but it seems to me that even my fellow players feel sorry for invaders and collaborators from Russia and Belarus.
“Players which in 85 days were not able to produce any clear message of condemnation of invasion into Ukraine. Shameful day in tennis.”
The ATP released a statement following their decision to strip Wimbledon of any ranking points, saying that they didn’t want to discriminate players based on their nationality.
“The ability for players of any nationality to enter tournaments based on merit and without discrimination, is fundamental to our Tour. The decision by Wimbledon to ban Russian and Belarussian players from competing in the UK this summer undermines this principle and the integrity of the ATP ranking system,” the statement said.
“It is also inconsistent with our rankings agreement. Absent a change in circumstances, it is with great regret and reluctance that we see no option but to remove ATP ranking points from Wimbledon for 2022.
“Our rules and agreements exist in order to protect the rights of players as a whole. Unilateral decisions of this nature, if unaddressed, set a damaging precedent for the rest of the Tour – discrimination by individual tournaments is simply not viable on a tour that operates in more than 30 countries.”
Wimbledon is set to get underway from June 27.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Does Matteo Berrettini have a new love interest?
Matteo Berrettini has been spotted with former model Melissa Satta.
-
Australian Open
2023 Australian Open women’s final info, form, H2H, preview: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
All the info you need ahead of the 2023 Australian Open women’s final.
-
Australian Open
Elena Rybakina: Why the quiet girl is set to dominate Grand Slam tennis
Elena Rybakina could be an all-timer.
-
Tennis News
Mats Wilander expects Elena Rybakina to make ’10 grand slam finals’
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina beat Victoria Azarenka 7-6, 6-3 to set up a final with Belarusian fifth-seed Sabalenka.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open day 11: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina reach women’s final
The story of the 11th day of action from Melbourne Park.
-
News
Aryna Sabalenka books power battle with Elena Rybakina in Australian Open final
Sabalenka beat Magda Linette 7-6 (1) 6-2 to reach her first grand slam singles final.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic plunged into fresh controversy and he needs to fix it quickly
Novak Djokovic needs to do all he can to clean up the mess created by his father as quickly as possible.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Andy Murray shares hilarious mock lipreading video from Thanasi Kokkinakis clash
Andy Murray saw the funny side of a TikTok video from his Australian Open second round win.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic still motivated by Rafael Nadal rivalry
That Grand Slam record is on Novak Djokovic’s mind for sure.
-
News
Elena Rybakina clinches straight sets semi-final win over Victoria Azarenka
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated Victoria Azarenka to reach her second grand slam final at the Australian Open.