Daniil Medvedev, world No.2, Andrey Rublev (8th), but also Aryna Sabalenka (4th), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (15th), Viktoria Azarenka (18th): the Major on grass seems ready to do without these headliners in framework of sanctions against Russia, according to the British press on Wednesday.

Even before an official announcement from the English tournament, Moscow reacted by calling such a decision "unacceptable".

"Once again, they are holding athletes hostage to political prejudice, political intrigue... This is unacceptable," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Following the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from many competitions: Beijing Paralympic Games, Football World Cup, World Swimming Championships...

In tennis, Russia and Belarus have been excluded from team competitions (Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup), but individually and under a neutral banner, players from these two countries are currently authorized to play ATP tournaments. and WTA.

Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, during the Indian Wells tournament, March 14, 2022 Frederic J. BROWN AFP / Archives

However, the four Grand Slam tournaments, Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, are independent of the men's and women's circuits.

"No War Please"

And according to the British daily The Times, after almost two months of talks, the organizers of Wimbledon should ban the participation of Russian and Belarusian players rather than adhere to a compromise solution proposed by the British government.

These negotiations were aimed at having these players sign a statement that they would not make favorable comments to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Wimbledon organizers believe signing such declarations could have a negative impact on the players' families.

The players concerned have also been discreet in their condemnation of the conflict, although the Russian Andrey Rublev wrote "no war please" on a television camera during a competition in Dubai just after the invasion. .

"I want peace all over the world," said Medvedev, recovering from surgery.

Belarusian Azarenka, former world No.1 and crowned twice at the Australian Open, was more explicit.

“It is heartbreaking to see how many innocent people have been and continue to be affected by this violence,” the 32-year-old said in March.

"I have always seen and experienced Ukrainians and Belarusians as friendly people and supportive of each other. It is difficult to witness the violent separation that is taking place now," Azarenka stressed.

It is likely that this ban from Wimbledon will apply to all UK grass-court tournaments this summer.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which oversees major Wimbledon warm-up tournaments such as Queen's and Eastbourne, said last week it would follow Wimbledon's lead.

“We think that from a public point of view and from a practical implementation point of view, there needs to be an alignment (between the All England Club and the LTA, editor’s note), for it to be really clear and understood,” said Scott Lloyd , CEO of the LTA.

"It is of paramount importance."

© 2022 AFP