Wimbledon chief insists banning Russian and Belarusian players ‘was the right decision’
She “hugely regrets the impact it has on the individual players involved”, but Wimbledon Chief Executive Officer Sally Bolton says they “stand by” the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from The Championships.
World No 1 Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov from Russia – to name just a few – are not competing at this year’s grass-court Grand Slam while former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka are the most high-profile Belarusians missing from the main draw after the All England Club banned players from the two countries.
The decision came on the back of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine earlier this year, but the move angered the ATP and WTA as the two organisations then hit back and stripped the major of ranking points.
Several star players have spoken out against the decisions, but Bolton insists it was the correct move for a “complicated” situation.
“It was an incredibly difficult and complex decision to make at the time,” she told BBC on Monday morning. “We spent a long time thinking about it and in making that decision. It was complicated but we stand by it.
“It was the right decision to make for the Championships. It’s still the right decision to make for the Championships. We hugely regret the impact it has on the individual players involved. But it remains the right decision for us this year.”
There was talk that several high-profile players could withdraw from Wimbledon due to the lack of ranking points, but all the big names have entered with Naomi Osaka the only one absent due to injury.
“I think when you look at the entry list and you look at the players that are present here ready to play in these two weeks, I think it speaks for itself in terms of whether this is considered to be a credible event or not,” Bolton added.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”
-
Tennis News
Daniil Medvedev discusses his popularity compared to Carlos Alcaraz as he offers a theory
“For me, the result is the most important, it’s more important than, let’s say, looking good on the court.”